Amnesty International’s report on spyware in Indonesia highlights the severe impact on victims,
particularly human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and civil society members. These
individuals have been targeted by invasive spyware that allows for covert surveillance of their
devices, leaving them vulnerable to real-timemonitoring without their knowledge.
This relentless surveillance and harassment have created a climate of fear, silencing voices that
advocate for freedom and justice in Indonesia. The report underscores how these tools are being
used to suppress dissent and intimidate those who speak out against government actions,
contributing to the shrinking civic space in the country.
Given the lack of regulatory oversight in Indonesia, victims have little recourse to protect
themselves from these intrusions.
The distribution of these technologies is shrouded in secrecy, involving complex networks of
vendors and brokers, which makes effective oversight almost impossible. In Indonesia, where
freedoms of expression and assembly are already under threat, the unregulated use of spyware
exacerbates the risk of abuse.
