Electronic and Information Transactions Law

Law No.11/2008was originally imposed to protect electronic business transactions. Experts in information and technology, the press, and non-governmental organizations heavily criticized the law as it restricts the freedom of speech.

Article 27of the law, for instance, stipulates criminal punishment for those who deliberately distribute or use electronic information or documents that contain slanderous or defamatory language. The article carries a maximum punishment of six years in jail and a Rp 1 billion (US$68,190) fine. However, there is no clear definition of defamation. Also, in reality, the law is often used against individuals who express their opinions online.

At least 71 people were charged with defamation under the law between 2008 and 2014, the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) reported. One of the most high-profile cases took place in 2009 when an Indonesian woman named Prita Mulayasari was sued by a hospital after she complained about its poor service on a mailing list. This case has drawn international media attention, from sites such as CNN, which covered the case in 2009.