Indonesian president among 6 million taxpayers in alleged data leak

SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Claims of a massive data breach involving 6 million Indonesian taxpayers, including President Joko Widodo, have resurfaced two years after initial hacking allegations. Internet security expert Teguh Aprianto posted sample images on social media, asserting that taxpayer identification numbers and personal information of high-ranking officials are being sold online.

The data allegedly includes addresses, phone numbers, emails, and tax status of prominent figures such as President Widodo, his two sons, and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. Aprianto attributes the sale to a hacker known as Bjorka, who previously claimed to have accessed sensitive government data in September 2022.

While Indonesian authorities denied the 2022 hacking claims, the tax office has now stated they are investigating the alleged data leak. However, they have not confirmed the authenticity of the data or provided details about when any potential breach might have occurred.

This incident follows a ransomware attack on Indonesia's national data center in June, which disrupted airport immigration systems. The recurring cybersecurity concerns highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Indonesian authorities in protecting sensitive government and citizen data.

AJP