Imported cyber espionage tools challenge freedom of speech.
A new study conducted by Amnesty International's security laboratory in collaboration with media organizations Haaretz, Inside Story, Tempo, and others found large-scale sales and use of highly invasive spyware and other surveillance technologies in Indonesia. Sources of these technologies include companies from Israel, Greece, Singapore, and Malaysia that have been active since at least 2017.
Among the suppliers whose products were identified in Indonesia are Q Cyber Technologies (affiliated with NSO Group), Intellexa, Saito Tech (known as Candiru), FinFisher and its subsidiary Raedarius M8 Sdn Bhd, and Wintego Systems.
The study also found that many spy technology import operations go through intermediaries in Singapore who are supposed to supply the technology to government agencies in Indonesia. These operations are complicated by the fact that identification of the ultimate owners of companies is difficult due to insufficient transparency of corporate data.
Additionally, many malicious domains linked to advanced spyware platforms that mimic the websites of opposition political parties and major news media in Indonesia were detected. This highlights the risks associated with the use of such technologies against civil society and journalists.
It is important to note that as a result of the ongoing violation of the rights to freedom of speech and assembly in Indonesia, there is a narrowing of civil space.
Despite considerable research efforts, Amnesty International does not have information on the specific individuals targeted by the surveillance technologies identified. However, it is known that the implemented mechanisms for masking these tools seriously complicate the identification of cases of their misuse.
Such findings require further research and accountability measures to ensure that civil society in Indonesia can function without fear of illegal surveillance. The study highlights the need for a complete ban on the sale and transfer of espionage technologies that are incompatible with human rights.
A new study conducted by Amnesty International's security laboratory in collaboration with media organizations Haaretz, Inside Story, Tempo, and others found large-scale sales and use of highly invasive spyware and other surveillance technologies in Indonesia. Sources of these technologies include companies from Israel, Greece, Singapore, and Malaysia that have been active since at least 2017.
Among the suppliers whose products were identified in Indonesia are Q Cyber Technologies (affiliated with NSO Group), Intellexa, Saito Tech (known as Candiru), FinFisher and its subsidiary Raedarius M8 Sdn Bhd, and Wintego Systems.
The study also found that many spy technology import operations go through intermediaries in Singapore who are supposed to supply the technology to government agencies in Indonesia. These operations are complicated by the fact that identification of the ultimate owners of companies is difficult due to insufficient transparency of corporate data.
Additionally, many malicious domains linked to advanced spyware platforms that mimic the websites of opposition political parties and major news media in Indonesia were detected. This highlights the risks associated with the use of such technologies against civil society and journalists.
It is important to note that as a result of the ongoing violation of the rights to freedom of speech and assembly in Indonesia, there is a narrowing of civil space.
Despite considerable research efforts, Amnesty International does not have information on the specific individuals targeted by the surveillance technologies identified. However, it is known that the implemented mechanisms for masking these tools seriously complicate the identification of cases of their misuse.
Such findings require further research and accountability measures to ensure that civil society in Indonesia can function without fear of illegal surveillance. The study highlights the need for a complete ban on the sale and transfer of espionage technologies that are incompatible with human rights.
