Victims of Criminalization under the ITE Law Decreased in 2021

According to a report by the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet), 38 people were victims of criminalization under the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (UU ITE) throughout 2021.

This figure is significantly lower than in 2020, when the number of victims reached 84, the highest in the last five years.

Despite the decrease in victims, SAFEnet assesses that freedom of expression in Indonesia has not necessarily improved.

SAFEnet found that in 2021, the majority of those prosecuted under the UU ITE were activists advocating for human rights (HAM), reaching 10 people or 26.3% of the total victims.

This is the first time that activists have been the most numerous victims of criminalization since the UU ITE was enacted in 2008. Usually, the majority of victims come from the general public.

In 2021, there were 8 victims (21.1%) of violence and their companions prosecuted under the UU ITE, as well as 7 people (18.4%) from the general public.

Other victims came from among journalists, academics, students, laborers, politicians, and community organizations.

According to SAFEnet's records, Article 27 paragraph 3 of the UU ITE concerning defamation is the most frequently used "rubber clause" to restrict freedom of expression in the digital realm. Throughout 2021, 17 victims were prosecuted under this article.