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Digital Shock: PeduliLindungi Turns Into Gambling Site

Photo: Katadata
Photo: Katadata
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Former COVID-19 health app’s domain compromised, leading users to online gambling platform.

A shocking discovery has emerged as the official website of PeduliLindungi, Indonesia’s former COVID-19 tracking application, was found redirecting users to an online gambling site. This incident has raised serious concerns about digital security and the management of government-affiliated digital assets.

From Health Tracker to Gambling Redirect

On May 20, 2025, users attempting to access the official PeduliLindungi website were unexpectedly redirected to an online gambling platform. PeduliLindungi was a government-endorsed application widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic for contact tracing and vaccination tracking. The sudden redirection has sparked alarm among users and cybersecurity experts alike.

Photo: Liputan6
Photo: Liputan6

Transition to SatuSehat and Management Shift

In March 2023, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health officially replaced PeduliLindungi with a new health app called SatuSehat. This move was part of a broader initiative to integrate health data services. Post-transition, the management and maintenance responsibilities of the PeduliLindungi website were transferred to a third party, no longer under the direct oversight of the Ministry.

Director General (Dirjen) of Digital Space Oversight at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi), Alexander Sabar, during a working meeting with the DPR RI Special Committee on Online Gambling (Panja Judol), Wednesday (January 22, 2025). Photo: Kompas

Ministry of Health’s Response

Aji Muhawarman, Head of the Ministry’s Communication and Public Information Bureau, clarified that since the transition to SatuSehat, the Ministry no longer manages the PeduliLindungi website. He emphasized that any issues related to the site now fall outside the Ministry’s jurisdiction.

Telkom Indonesia’s Involvement

Telkom Indonesia, the state-owned telecommunications company, has been identified as the current manager of the PeduliLindungi website. In response to the incident, Telkom has initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause of the unauthorized redirection and to implement measures to prevent future occurrences.

Photo: Komdigi (2025)

Public Concern and Data Security

The incident has raised significant public concern regarding data security, especially considering the sensitive health information previously managed through PeduliLindungi. While SatuSehat has replaced the app, concerns remain over legacy data and the credibility of government digital platforms.


Broader Implications for Digital Governance

This event underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures, especially for government-affiliated digital platforms. It highlights the need for clear protocols during the transition of digital assets and the ongoing responsibility of managing entities to safeguard public trust and data integrity.

The redirection of the PeduliLindungi website to an online gambling platform serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in digital asset management. For Indonesians and neighboring countries like Singapore, which often collaborate on digital health initiatives, this incident emphasizes the necessity for stringent cybersecurity practices and transparent management of digital platforms to maintain public trust and data security.

Sources: Kompas (2025) , Detik (2025)

Keywords: PeduliLindungi, SatuSehat, Cybersecurity Breach, Online Gambling, Indonesia Health Application

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