- 25/10/2023
- Category: Press Release
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of online shopping activities through marketplaces or local markets by the Indonesian population. As this trend continues, enhanced regulations aimed at creating a safe and comfortable buying and selling environment are undoubtedly needed. Furthermore, the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Bill (RUU PDP) has become a crucial aspect of safeguarding personal data. In response to this, the Center for Digital Society (CfDS), in collaboration with Tokopedia, supported by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, and Siberkreasi, has taken the initiative to extend the first module, “Understanding Various Ways to Protect Your Data in Marketplaces,” as part of the expansion of the Safe and Comfortable Digital Literacy Module for Transactions in Marketplaces. The goal is to assist the public in conducting transactions more securely.
Safe Shopping in Marketplaces
The shopping trend in Indonesia is reflected in CfDS’s survey findings in module 2 – “Utilizing Marketplaces for Expanding Your Online Business,” which states that 48% of the Indonesian population shops frequently. This high figure can be attributed to the convenience offered, considering that marketplaces are online businesses that allow sellers and buyers to interact indirectly. By analogy, sellers are likened to stallholders, buyers can browse for goods/services, and the marketplace serves as the shopping venue.
Many opt for marketplaces because they are perceived to have numerous advantages, such as easy and secure payment methods, reliability, easy registration, efficiency through automatic payment verification and automatic shipping cost calculation, trustworthiness, and a wide reach. Additionally, security aspects are emphasized within marketplaces through various regulations, such as Presidential Regulation No. 80/2022 which governs data protection, registration, and licensing, as well as consumer protection.
Avoiding Social Engineering Scams and Fraud in Marketplaces
Despite the existing regulations, the public must remain vigilant against various emerging possibilities, especially the prevalence of scams. Through its survey in Module 3 – “Safe Transactions in Marketplaces,” CfDS recorded a percentage of 49.1% in the context of digital fraud victims. Numerous scams are perpetrated, including hacking, phishing, carding, social engineering, product fraud, fake advertisements, and skimming. This is further exacerbated by the increase in Cash on Delivery (COD) cases in Indonesia that do not align with user literacy, leading to conflicts between users and couriers, such as berating couriers and refusing to pay.
The public needs to enhance their digital technology security competence through three stages: basic, intermediate, and advanced, as a key step to avoid potential issues. In the basic stage, individuals need to understand secure transaction methods, such as using a personal phone, knowing how to create complex passwords, and not trusting all online information. In the intermediate stage, people should change passwords regularly and be aware of the types of personal data. In the advanced stage, individuals should learn how to protect themselves routinely and be familiar with scam methods.
Author: Muhammad Alfasya Syabil Sholatar
Editor: Ni Kadek Ayu Pratiwi
