Jakarta, INTI - The government has highlighted the importance of protecting national content and data in the face of rapid global artificial intelligence (AI) developments. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria stated that digital data and content generated by Indonesia citizens now serve as a key foundation for global AI development, making it crucial that their rights and economic value are preserved.
According to Nezar, data today goes beyond personal information. Every digital activity, from location tracking and online conversations to social media uploads, forms raw material that is processed into high value AI business models and systems.
Global Platforms and the Need for Fair Use
“Global platforms such as Google, Meta, and TikTok collect and process data on a massive scale. These datasets are then used for big data–driven and AI-based technology development,” Nezar said during the Indonesia-Finland Roundtable on Data Sovereignty and Cyber Resilience, cited from a written statement on Monday, March 2, 2026.
However, the issue extends beyond personal data protection. Public content, including journalistic work and academic writings, can also be used to train AI systems without fair mechanisms or compensation.
The government cited the dispute between The New York Times and OpenAI as a tangible example of how news content carries economic value and intellectual property rights in the AI era. The case illustrates that writing style, news archives, and other digital content can serve as training material for AI systems that subsequently generate high-value commercial products.
“If left unregulated, the added value benefits others. We cannot simply be a market or a raw data supplier,” Nezar emphasized.
Strengthening Regulations and Cyber Resilience
In response, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is reviewing the national regulatory framework to address emerging technologies, including AI. The government is also studying data governance practices from the European Union, which prioritize citizens’ rights in digital regulations.
Beyond data sovereignty, Nezar stressed the importance of cyber resilience. The government is preparing specific regulations to provide a legal umbrella protecting national digital architecture from evolving cyber threats.
“A nation that can manage and control its data will hold a stronger position in the global digital economy. We cannot merely be a market. We must ensure citizens’ data delivers tangible benefits for the country,” he said.
The Indonesia–Finland roundtable provides a forum for exchanging best practices in strengthening data sovereignty and cyber resilience, representing a concrete step for Indonesia to place public interest at the center of national digital governance.
Conclusion
Indonesia is proactively strengthening protections for local digital content and data as global AI technologies expand. By combining regulatory updates, cyber resilience measures, and lessons from international cases like NYT vs OpenAI, the government aims to secure both economic value and citizens’ rights while asserting its role in the global digital economy.
Read more: Minister of Digital Affairs Inspects Meta’s Office, Issues Ultimatum Over Disinformation Content