In his opening remarks, the Dean of STEI ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tutun Juhana, ST., MT., emphasized that losing a mobile phone means not only losing a physical object but also one’s sense of security and partial access to the digital sphere. He highlighted that mobile phones have become “a small gateway to each of our vast digital worlds,” storing personal data, financial access, and essential work-related services.

For this reason, the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)—a unique 15-digit number often referred to as the phone’s “digital fingerprint”—should be utilized not merely as a technical feature but as an instrument of consumer protection. Mobile phone theft, which criminology classifies as a form of property crime with high risks of digital data misuse, requires effective mitigation through IMEI blocking. “This forum is a shared space to ask fundamental questions: to what extent is this service truly needed, how should it be designed to remain fair and accessible, and how do we ensure it is not misused?” he stated.

Legal Processes and Regulatory Perspectives

The first presentation was delivered by AKP Dr. Hermawan, Head of Unit 1, Sub-Directorate 3, Cybercrime Directorate of the West Java Regional Police, who explained procedures for handling mobile phone loss reports. He underlined that official documents such as the Loss Report Certificate (STPKL) serve not only an administrative role but also a legal one. He further emphasized that losing a phone entails not just financial losses but also the potential misuse of sensitive data. “The police are not authorized to block IMEIs, but we can trace lost phones when linked to criminal cases,” he explained.

From the regulatory side, Adis Alifiawan, Director of Radio Frequency Spectrum Management, Satellite Orbits, and Digital Infrastructure Standardization at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, explained that the idea of IMEI blocking arises from the persistently high number of mobile phone thefts in Indonesia. He cited that in 2022 there were more than 62,000 reported cases of aggravated theft, although the number dropped by 16 percent in 2024. According to him, IMEI blocking aims to reduce the economic value of stolen phones so that criminals lose incentive. “This service is designed not only to protect consumers but also to lower crime rates and strengthen digital ecosystem security,” he stated, while also highlighting risks such as IMEI cloning, illegal refurbished phones, and cross-border device trafficking that must be anticipated.

Photo: Mr. Ronggolawe Sahuri, Director of Electronics and Telematics Industry, Ministry of Industry, Delivering His Presentation on the Role of Industry and Serial Number Data in IMEI Control Programs (Personal Documentation)

From the industry perspective, Ronggolawe Sahuri, Director of Electronics and Telematics Industry at the Ministry of Industry, stressed that all mobile devices (HKT: handphones, handheld computers, and tablets) are now required to be registered under the Product Registration Certificate (TPP) system. He underlined the importance of serial number data to ensure device validity. “Today, a mobile phone is even more important than a wallet. It contains data, identities, and access to essential services,” he remarked.

The Role of Operators and the Mobile Phone Industry

On the operator side, Islachudin, Regulatory Compliance and Operation XL Smart and representative of ATSI, highlighted the unique characteristics of the Indonesian market, where most users are prepaid customers, secondhand phone trade is extensive, and devices are not locked to a single operator. He noted that IMEI blocking would be more effective if integrated into a centralized government portal rather than scattered across operators. “That way, the public would not need to switch SIM cards just to file a report, making the mechanism much simpler,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Ali Yanuar, Deputy Chair for Technology, Standards, and Engineering of APSI, underscored the mobile phone industry’s contribution to the national economy. In 2024, smartphone sales in Indonesia reached 40 million units, growing by 15.5 percent, and created more than 135,000 jobs in manufacturing and retail. According to him, IMEI blocking complements existing lost and found features, which so far have mostly been available only in mid- to high-end phones. “This policy will protect all consumers, including lower-income users,” he said.

Consumer Protection and Public Education

From a consumer protection perspective, Heru Sutadi, Chair of the Communication and Education Commission of BPKN, emphasized that IMEI blocking provides significant benefits, including minimizing financial losses, improving consumer security, and deterring phone theft. However, he also warned of the risk of false blocking, which could unfairly penalize legitimate owners. “Consumer protection is a pillar of digital transformation. This policy must be implemented carefully to ensure fairness and trust,” he said.

Similarly, Rafika Zulfa from YLKI pointed out that low consumer awareness remains a key challenge in implementation. She observed that many consumers only care about resolving their problems, regardless of the process or institution involved. “For consumers, what matters most is that the problem is solved, and the phone can be used again. That is why public education is essential,” she stressed.

The interactive discussion produced several important recommendations, including the need for cross-agency system integration, guaranteed data protection, and clear regulatory socialization. Participants from student groups, digital communities, phone traders, and the general public highlighted the importance of IMEI blocking as a viable option for consumer protection.

As an academic facilitator, ITB reaffirmed its commitment to remain independent and objective in supporting evidence-based policymaking. This forum demonstrated how synergy among academia, government, industry, and civil society can generate policies that are not only technical but also grounded in principles of safety, fairness, and public trust in the digital space.

Reporter: Dina Avanza Mardiana (Microbiology, 2022)