There’s nothing new with the fact that WhatsApp is not a secure messaging platform. What is increasingly alarming, however, is the number of people who are exposed to the threat both virtually and physically because of the app. Despite these risks, Indonesians are not able to remove themselves from WhatsApp due to direct endorsement from Chinese phone manufacturers, as well as having the app pre-installed in affordable Android phones. Asking people to move to more secure platforms can feel like converting people’s belief.
But on the evening of April 22, 2020, researcher Ravio Patra was arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia, not long after an attempt to protect his safety due to a WhatsApp privacy breach. His work has captured the interest of many, notably his most recent critique on the sparse handling of COVID-19 by the Jokowi administration.
Following Ravio’s arrest, a petition was launched by his colleagues urging for his immediate release. Also demanding his release was a coalition comprised of SAFEnet (Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network), YLBHI (Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia), LBH Jakarta (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Jakarta), LBH Press, KontraS (Komisi Untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban Tindak Kekerasan), AMAR law firm, ICW (Indonesia Corruption Watch), Lokataru Law and Human Rights Office, AJAR (Asia Justice and Rights), Amnesty International Indonesia, and ICJR (Institute of Criminal Justice Reform). Read the coalition’s full statement here.
Ravio was released the next day at 8 a.m. UTC+7. However, he still remains a suspect.
Sampai sekarang #RavioHilang, kita nggak tau Ravio ditahan dimana dan karena apa
— Atasi Virus Cabut Omnibus (@FraksiRakyat_ID) April 23, 2020
Bantu saya desak Kapolri untuk segera #BebaskanRavio, ungkap dan tahan peretas WhatsAppnya dengan tanda tangani petisi https://t.co/v1oaYOcYQw#RavioHilang #BebaskanRavio #AtasiVirusCabutOmnibus
Kami menduga motif penyebaran itu adalah untuk menempatkan Ravio sebagai salah satu pihak yang dijebak dengan seolah-olah akan membuat kerusuhan. @safenetvoice menyampaikan agar Ravio bisa mengumpulkan dan mendokumentasikan semua bukti. #BebaskanRavio
— Amnesty International Indonesia (@amnestyindo) April 23, 2020
SEGERA LEPASKAN RAVIO PATRA, HENTIKAN KRIMINALISASI, UNGKAP PELAKU PERETASAN! pic.twitter.com/ePATThJYdp
— KONTRAS (@KontraS) April 23, 2020
Kemarin siang Ravio beritahu saya, selain WA dihijack, dia juga menerima panggilan telpon dari nomor2 yang tidak ia kenal.
— Tunggal Pawestri (@tunggalp) April 23, 2020
Kita lihat saja sebentar lagi, pertunjukan drama apa yang akan digelar aparat#bebaskanravio pic.twitter.com/0RIezzK4IL
Ravio Patra adalah seorang peneliti dan penggiat media sosial.
— Asumsi (@asumsico) April 23, 2020
Kemarin (23/04), Ravio mengeluh akun WhatsApp-nya error dan kemungkinan diretas pihak lain. Ia juga dan meminta supaya dia tidak dihubungi dulu. pic.twitter.com/AOqvkTDF6E
Ravio’s arrest prompts us to once again recognise how well-developed state oppression has become. It implies that ordinary citizens should appraise the necessary safety and security measures, and this is not simply about COVID-19. The stakes of physical threats following a critical attitude, even if virtually, remain high, especially considering arrests and interrogations are not taking place in the virtual world (yet).
For now, the coalition is now concerned with updating the petition to expand the scope of the privacy breach. No matter how remote we are now from each other, fixing our digital security itself will not suffice to deflect from the mechanics of authoritarian regimes.
About the Author
Pitra Hutomo is EngageMedia’s Project Manager (Indonesia).
