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| Data Leak Scare Hits Indonesia’s Digital Ministry Hiring Process. |
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) is under public scrutiny after reports surfaced about a possible data leak involving job applicants during a recent recruitment drive.
The issue quickly caught attention online after applicants discovered their personal documents were uploaded through an open-access cloud link, raising serious concerns about data privacy and digital security.
Deputy Minister Nezar Patria confirmed that the ministry is currently investigating the incident. Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, he said the recruitment process should never have relied on an open platform like Google Drive.
“This is being reviewed internally by our Inspectorate General. We’re tracing where the mistake happened and how it could occur,” Nezar explained.
According to him, the case has also been coordinated with the Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure, the unit responsible for opening the job vacancies. An internal audit is now underway to ensure proper procedures are followed moving forward.
Nezar also reassured the public that the problematic link has already been taken down. The recruitment process has since been moved to a more secure platform with stronger data protection measures.
“We realized the issue quickly. The link was closed immediately and replaced with a safer recruitment channel,” he added.
The controversy stems from a recruitment announcement for Individual Service Procurement (PJLP) positions, offering nine available roles. Applicants were instructed to upload sensitive documents, including resumes, ID cards, diplomas, academic transcripts, and medical certificates.
Unfortunately, the cloud storage used had public access settings enabled. This meant anyone with the link could view or download applicants’ personal files without restriction.
During a working meeting with Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission I on Wednesday (Feb 4), Kemkomdigi Secretary General Ismail acknowledged the concern and confirmed an internal evaluation is ongoing.
“We take this feedback seriously. Improving human resources and fixing internal processes are priorities, and this issue is currently being handled internally,” Ismail stated.
The incident serves as a reminder that data protection isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a matter of public trust. As digital services expand, safeguarding personal information has become a non-negotiable responsibility for government institutions.