Latest news: a GIIAS usher filmed in secret
In early August 2026, an usher at the GIIAS 2026 auto show said a content creator had filmed her in secret, reportedly with camera glasses. The clip was turned into content titled "How to approach girls at an exhibition". By her own account on social media, she only found out after it went viral, asked for it to be removed, was refused on the grounds that filming happened in a public place, and was reportedly asked to cover "production costs" if she wanted it taken down (kumparan, 4 August 2026; iNews, 4 August 2026). All of this is one side's account. The creator later deleted the content and apologised publicly, and according to kumparan admitted the remark about production costs was improper.
What officials said on the record:
- Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said the recording violated the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law and ethics, and that being in a public place does not automatically give others the freedom to film and spread your video without consent. Enforcement, she said, rests with the police (Katadata, 3 August 2026).
- House Commission III chair Habiburokhman called it unethical and unlawful and urged the victim to report to police.
- The Tangerang Selatan police criminal investigation unit said, as of 4 August 2026, that it found the content through cyber patrol and was investigating on site. No police report from the victim had been filed at that point, and police invited the aggrieved party to report (detik, 5 August 2026).
We found no later reports after 5 August, so it is unclear whether a report or case followed. No court has ruled on it. The case still raises a question many promoters and ushers face: what can I do if I am filmed while working?
What experts say about the legal basis
Two experts quoted by detik named several laws that could apply (detik, 3 August 2026):
| Law | Relevant, per the experts, if |
|---|---|
| Personal Data Protection Law (Law 27/2022) | A person's face and footage are processed for an unjustified purpose |
| Copyright Law, Articles 12 and 115 | A person's portrait is used commercially without consent |
| Sexual Violence Crimes Law, Article 14 | A sexual element or purpose is proven. It does not apply automatically |
These are opinions of experts and officials quoted in the media, not a legal ruling. Whether a recording breaks the law depends on the facts, and the final call belongs to law enforcement. For your own case, talk to a lawyer or a legal aid organisation.
If you are filmed without permission while working
These steps are our practical suggestions, using the evidence checklist an ICT Watch expert gave in detik's coverage.
- Preserve evidence before the video disappears: the post link, a screen recording, screenshots of comments, view counts, and the date you found it. The ICT Watch expert also advises keeping the date of your takedown request and the poster's reply.
- Ask for removal in writing, politely and briefly, by DM or comment. Screenshot it. Do not pay "production costs" to get a video removed. We found nothing in the coverage of this case suggesting the victim had to.
- Report it to the platform. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Threads have report forms for privacy violations.
- Tell your agency or on-site lead. An agency can contact the organiser, and a single channel keeps the paper trail tidy.
- Report harmful content to Komdigi through AduanKonten.id, or go to the police if you want to pursue it legally. Police accept reports directly, and in the GIIAS case the local police invited the aggrieved party to file one.
- Look after yourself. It is fine to refuse to be photographed or filmed, and fine to ask event security to stay with you if someone keeps following you with a camera.
Two common points of confusion
Is filming in a public place always wrong? There is no one-line answer. A general shot of an exhibition hall is different from a video that centres one person, films them in secret and uses them as content. The Communications Minister stressed that a public place does not automatically mean anyone can film and spread footage. When in doubt, treat consent as the standard.
Can I still be friendly with visitors and creators? Of course. Promoters and ushers face the public by definition, and many events invite creators on purpose. The difference is permission: asked first, clear about what it is for, and you may say no.
For agencies and organisers
A case like this becomes a reputation problem for everyone involved. A few things you can prepare, as our suggestions: tell crew in the briefing that they may decline to be filmed and who to contact if something happens, name one on-site lead, and tell visitors by signage or announcement that filming that focuses on crew needs permission. Our article on talent data and Regulation 33/2026 covers the personal data side for agencies.
Sources
Checked 12 November 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. We deliberately do not name the usher or the creator.
- kumparan, 4 August 2026: Tangsel police investigate influencer filming usher at GIIAS without consent
- detik, 5 August 2026: Usher-filming incident now investigated by police
- Katadata, 3 August 2026: Communications Minister says it violates the PDP Law
- detik, 3 August 2026: Legal grounds the GIIAS usher could use to report
- iNews, 4 August 2026: Viral GIIAS promoter secretly filmed for content
