The rapid development of information technology and the intensification of digital activity have fundamentally reshaped how individuals interact, transact, and manage personal data. Amid widespread internet usage, protecting personal data has become a critical concern. Data breaches, misuse of information, unauthorized processing, and weak cybersecurity systems present significant challenges for governments worldwide.
The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, commonly known as GDPR, is widely regarded as the global benchmark for personal data protection. It has influenced numerous countries in shaping national data protection policies and serves as a normative reference for Indonesia. In response to growing digital activity, Indonesia enacted Law Number 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection (“UU PDP”), establishing a domestic legal framework for safeguarding personal data.
Key Legal Comparisons between UU PDP and GDPR
- Definition and Scope
Article 1 paragraph 2 of the UU PDP defines data protection as comprehensive measures to protect personal data throughout the data processing lifecycle, ensuring the constitutional rights of data subjects. GDPR similarly focuses on empowering individuals to control their personal data while harmonizing rules for cross border data processing. Both frameworks emphasize transparency, accountability, and the protection of data subject rights.
Indonesia has incorporated GDPR principles into UU PDP to create a national legal framework that governs the collection, processing, storage, and deletion of personal data, while protecting individual rights. Despite these similarities, significant differences remain in scope, enforcement, and practical implementation.
- Jurisdiction
GDPR applies extraterritorially, covering any organization that processes the personal data of EU residents, even if the entity operates outside the EU. In contrast, UU PDP primarily regulates data controllers and processors operating within Indonesia, as specified in Article 2. Its international reach is therefore more limited compared to GDPR.
- Sanctions
GDPR imposes substantial penalties, reaching up to 10 to 20 million euros or 2 to 4 percent of a company’s global annual revenue. By comparison, UU PDP establishes sanctions, but the scale is significantly smaller.
- Data Subject Rights
GDPR grants individuals extensive rights, including the right to erasure and data portability, strengthening personal control over data. UU PDP focuses more on the obligations of data controllers to secure data and implement proper management practices, while still recognizing certain rights of data subjects.
Also read: The Urgency of Biometric Data Protection in the AI Era
Regulatory Supervisory Mechanisms
GDPR enforcement is coordinated by the European Data Protection Board, which consists of representatives from national data protection authorities across EU member states. Each member state also maintains its own supervisory authority to monitor GDPR compliance.
In Indonesia, oversight of UU PDP is conducted primarily at the national level, with institutions such as the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) and the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) playing central roles. Cross border data management supervision remains limited, highlighting challenges in maintaining consistency and compliance in a globally interconnected digital environment. GDPR, by contrast, enforces uniform mechanisms across the EU and applies to foreign entities processing EU residents’ data.
Also read: Peran Big Data dalam Peningkatan Sistem Kesehatan Nasional
Business Implications of UU PDP and GDPR
GDPR has compelled companies worldwide to review and update their data protection policies. Indonesian businesses operating in the EU must comply with GDPR, requiring investment in technology infrastructure and employee training to meet regulatory standards.
UU PDP presents both opportunities and challenges for Indonesian enterprises. Effective implementation can enhance consumer trust, strengthen corporate reputation, and improve competitiveness. However, businesses must adjust internal systems and procedures to align with the new legal requirements.
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) face additional hurdles, including limited budgets, technology, and human resources, making compliance with stricter standards more challenging. Meeting both GDPR and UU PDP requirements may necessitate technical upgrades and additional financial allocation, posing practical difficulties for smaller firms.
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Regulations:
- Undang-Undang Nomor 27 Tahun 2022 tentang Perlindungan Data Pribadi (“UU PDP”).
References:
- Ini Persamaan Pengaturan Perlindungan Data Pribadi Pada UU PDP di Indonesia dengan GDPR di Uni Eropa. BP Lawyers (Diakses pada tanggal 28 November 2025 pukul 11.46 WIB).
- GDPR vs UU PDP Indonesia Perbedaan dan Implementasi. Digital Hub Asia (Diakses pada tanggal 28 November 2025 pukul 14.34 WIB).
- Perlindungan Data Pribadi Standar GDPR Uni Eropa dan Implikasinya bagi Indonesia. Medium (Diakses pada tanggal 28 November 2025 pukul 14.45 WIB).
- Ini 4 Perbedaan GDPR dan Perlindungan Data Pribadi di Indonesia. Hukumonline (Diakses pada tanggal 28 November 2025 pukul 15.00 WIB).
- Perbedaan GDPR dan Regulasi Indonesia. Mitra Berdaya (Diakses pada tanggal 28 November 2025 pukul 15.28 WIB).