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ICW researcher doxxed, YLBHI: We worry this is part of a silencing operation

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Tempo - January 6, 2025

Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Muhammad Isnur responded to the alleged digital attack or doxing targeting one of the researchers from Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).

The doxing in the form of identity disclosure was experienced by the victim who criticized Jokowi's inclusion as a finalist in the nomination for the most corrupt figure according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

Isnur said that cases of digital attacks targeting groups of people who speak out are increasingly widespread. "So this has become a pattern that is a counterattack or silencing of critical people," he said when contacted, Saturday, January 4, 2025.

According to him, the doxing efforts against critical individuals are part of a form of digital authoritarianism. He considered that the silencing and digital attacks on critical people were not really taken seriously by the state.

Isnur mentioned a number of cases of digital attacks that were brought to court, but the handling was stagnant. For example, the digital attack on the journalist Narasi, to the attack on activist Ravio Patra.

"What's the end result? We suspect that this was done by those in power. We are worried that this is part of an operation to silence critical people," he said.

Therefore, Isnur said that YLBHI urged the government to provide protection guarantees to all elements of society who criticize. Namely to human rights defenders, environmental activists, democracy activists, and anti-corruption activists.

Previously, an ICW researcher was suspected of being doxed by an anonymous account on Instagram. The alleged doxing occurred after the ICW researcher responded to a release from OCCRP nominating Joko Widodo as a leader in the category of "Organized Crime and Corruption 2024".

Agus said that the alleged doxing carried out on January 3 was in the form of disclosing a number of personal data of the victim. Starting from telephone numbers, Identity Card (KTP) numbers, residential addresses, specifications of the telephone used, to the last location coordinates in the form of a Google Maps link.

"The doxing should be seen as part of an effort to silence and limit critical public voices," he said.

According to him, criticism of the 7th President's inclusion in the OCCRP nomination should be used as an alarm to improve efforts to eradicate corruption in the country. Moreover, he assessed that during Jokowi's two-term leadership, there had been a decline in the eradication of corruption and democracy.

He touched on the weakening of the anti-corruption agency, as evidenced by the declining value of the Indonesian Corruption Perception Index, to the strengthening of dynastic politics. "The existence of doxing against parties who criticize Jokowi should actually be seen as strengthening that Jokowi deserves to be nominated for OCCRP," said Agus.

ICW plans to report the alleged doxing carried out by an anonymous account on social media against one of its researchers to law enforcement. This was revealed by ICW Coordinator Agus Sunaryanto.

"Because the personal data (of the ICW researcher) has been published," he said.

Agus has not explained in more detail about the plan to take this case to court. He said that currently ICW is still coordinating with the Advocacy Team for Democracy regarding the plan to report to law enforcement.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1960422/icw-researcher-doxxed-ylbhi-we-worry-this-is-part-of-a-silencing-operatio

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