Aqshal Raihan, Jakarta – The Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) Head of online security division Abdul Hasan Banimal laments the use of personal data in the Covid-19 tracing app PeduliLindungi, which he argues asks for personal data for uses that are still questionable.

He said the app asks for consent on three data aspects that consist of camera, location, and storage which its use is still unclear and poses risks towards data safety.

"Permission for camera use, what is that for? PeduliLindungi also uses photos and videos, what is the latter used for?," said Abdul on September 15.

SAFEnet believes the problem in the tracing app roots back to the government campaign promoting mass downloads but is not followed by attempts to educate the public about the plethora of data the app extracts from users.

He also finds other permissions in the app quite questionable as he mentioned the permission for the app to modify and erase contents within the user's cell phone storage system, total network access control, preventing the phone to activate hibernation feature, and other permissions which its uses are still questionable.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1506745/safenet-deems-pedulilindungi-app-permissions-questionabl