The Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) recorded at least 59 cases of digital free expression violations in Indonesia throughout July-September, or the third quarter (Q3) of 2025.
From this number of cases, there were a total of 156 people who were either victims or reported individuals.
"This number increased by 30 cases compared to the previous quarter, which saw 29 cases. In terms of reported individuals, the number surged by 120 people compared to the previous quarter's 36," SAFEnet wrote in its report.
Based on the reporting region, SAFEnet explained, West Java Province ranked first with the highest number of victims or reported individuals, totaling 108 people. This was followed by Jakarta Province with 20 victims.
The following is the number of victims/reported individuals of digital free expression violations by province during Q3 2025, according to SAFEnet's data:
- West Java: 108 people
- Jakarta: 20 people
- East Java: 5 people
- Banten: 5 people
- North Sumatra: 3 people
- South Sulawesi: 3 people
- Central Java: 3 people
- Bali: 3 people
- East Nusa Tenggara: 2 people
- DI Yogyakarta: 1 person
- Riau: 1 person
- Central Papua: 1 person
- Papua: 1 person.
According to SAFEnet, in Q3 2025, the political motive or issue most frequently underpinned digital free expression violations, accounting for a total of 128 victims (82%).
The data primarily sourced from the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD), of which SAFEnet is a member.
"The rise of politically motivated criminalization is due to the wave of protests rejecting the policies of the Parliament (DPR) and the government in August-September 2025 across various regions in Indonesia," SAFEnet explained.