The Head of the Human Resources Development Agency of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto reminded the importance of upholding ethical values when taking photos in public spaces.
"In some developed countries, we even require permission to take photos of people. So, what about us? This is a matter of culture and ethics," said Bonifasius at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Friday.
Bonifasius explained that personal data includes more than just text or written information, but also includes facial images and biometrics. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of obtaining consent from the person being photographed before photographing and disseminating their image.
According to Bonifasius, asking permission before photographing others aligns with ethical and cultural values. Photographers are encouraged to ask the person's permission before taking the image, including for distribution in digital media or for commercial purposes.
"Therefore, I strongly urge my colleagues who are taking photos to pay attention to our ethics and culture. If we want to take photos, try to get permission first," he said.
