JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia’s Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid has warned content creators that recording and publishing identifiable people without permission may violate the country’s Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP).

Meutya issued the warning on Monday, August 3. She responded after content creator Emanuel Bryan, widely known as Bryan Ebem or @ebemartono, reportedly uploaded footage showing several visitors at the 2026 GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS).

The video circulated widely on social media and prompted concerns about consent, personal data processing and women’s safety in public places.

“Regarding the recording of a woman without permission, we have also received a great deal of feedback. In principle, we need to remind everyone that, first, this act violates the UU PDP and, second, it violates ethics,” Meutya said, as quoted by Antara.

The footage was reportedly captured at GIIAS 2026, held from July 30 to Aug. 9 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition in BSD City, Tangerang, Banten.

Organizer GAIKINDO said more than 65 automotive and supporting-industry brands participated in the exhibition.

Indonesia enacted Law No. 27/2022 on Personal Data Protection on Oct. 17, 2022. The law defines personal data as information about an identified or identifiable individual, whether processed electronically or through other means.

Article 4 classifies biometric data as specific personal data. The UU PDP’s official explanation says biometric information includes physical, physiological or behavioral characteristics. These allow unique identification, such as facial images and fingerprints.

The law treats collecting, recording, displaying and distributing personal data as forms of data processing.

Consent is one possible legal basis for such processing. The law also recognizes other grounds, including legal obligations, public interest and legitimate interests under specified conditions.

Recording in a public venue does not automatically remove every privacy or data-protection obligation.

Whether a particular video constitutes an infringement of the law depends on its purpose, context, the way in which it is processed and the legal basis. In fact, regulators or a court would need to determine liability in a specific case.

Meutya also framed the controversy as a public-safety and ethical issue. She said creators should protect women, children and other vulnerable groups. Instead of turning them into content without their knowledge or approval, creators should seek consent.

Her warning highlights the responsibilities creators assume when they identify people, focus on them or distribute their images to large online audiences.

Content creators can reduce privacy risks by blurring faces, seeking consent and promptly removing disputed footage.

Bryan later apologized publicly after facing criticism over the viral GIIAS video. He delivered the apology through his personal Instagram account on Monday, August 3.

In the video, Bryan acknowledged that his content had caused public controversy. He apologized to everyone who felt harmed by his conduct.

“There has been considerable controversy over the past few days. My name is Bryan, and I want to apologize for all the problems caused by my behavior,” he said.

“I am not trying to justify what I did. I only want to apologize to everyone who felt harmed,” he added.

Bryan also explained that his content about approaching strangers began as a casual idea. Later he used this idea in various situations.

His apology did not alter Meutya’s broader warning. She emphasized that content creators must consider consent, personal-data protection and public safety before recording or publishing identifiable people.