When Private Chats Are Shared Without Permission
01 — UNDERSTANDING THE CASE: WHAT HAPPENED?
Imagine a student named Dimas sending a private message to his friend, Raka, through WhatsApp. In the conversation, Dimas shares personal problems and expresses opinions intended only for Raka to know.
A few days later, Dimas discovers that Raka has taken screenshots of their conversation and shared them in a school group chat. The screenshots are then forwarded by several other students. Some group members begin commenting on the conversation and using its contents to make fun of Dimas.
Dimas feels that his privacy has been violated. He questions whether Raka has the right to share their conversation simply because Raka was one of the participants.
However, another question arises: what if someone shares screenshots of a conversation to report bullying, threats, or actions that could endanger others?
This situation shows that legal issues are not always as simple as whether permission was given.
Note: Dimas and Raka are fictional characters. This scenario was created for educational purposes and does not represent a report of any specific real-life legal case.
02 — ISSUE: WHAT ARE THE LEGAL QUESTIONS?
Main Question:
Can someone be held legally responsible for sharing screenshots of a private conversation without permission?
To answer this question, we need to identify several legal issues.
- Does the screenshot contain personal data?
- Does the recipient of a message have the right to share the conversation with other people?
- Was the conversation shared for a legitimate purpose, such as reporting threats or bullying?
- Does the shared content contain accusations that attack someone's honor or reputation?
- Is there a relevant legal basis, and can the elements of a legal violation be proven?
What This Means for Students
Messages we send to someone are not always intended to be seen by other people. Therefore, we need to understand the difference between receiving a message and sharing it with others.
However, privacy should not be used as a reason to prevent someone from seeking help when facing threats or bullying.
The key lesson: Before evaluating an action, first understand the purpose, context, and consequences of sharing the information.
03 — RULE: WHICH LAWS ARE RELEVANT?
A. Law No. 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection
The Personal Data Protection Law (PDP Law) defines personal data as data about an identified or identifiable individual, either directly or through a combination with other information.
Screenshots of conversations may contain personal data, such as names, telephone numbers, profile pictures, or other information that makes an individual identifiable.
Article 20 of the PDP Law provides that personal data processing must have a lawful basis. Consent is one of the recognized legal bases, but it is not the only basis recognized by the law.
Article 65 also establishes certain prohibitions concerning the unlawful acquisition or collection of personal data and the unlawful disclosure of personal data belonging to another person.
However, not every screenshot automatically satisfies the elements of a violation of the PDP Law. It is necessary to examine what data the screenshot contains, what actions were taken, the relevant lawful basis for processing, and the applicable legal provisions.
B. Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code
Sharing a conversation may raise issues concerning honor or reputation if the content and manner of distribution satisfy the elements of a relevant criminal offense.
Article 433 of the Criminal Code regulates defamation under certain circumstances, including written defamation. However, this provision does not automatically apply simply because someone shares a private conversation or because the recipient of the conversation feels embarrassed.
It is necessary to examine whether an accusation concerning a particular matter was made, how the message was communicated, the purpose of its distribution, and whether the other legal elements have been satisfied.
The National Criminal Code has been in effect since January 2, 2026. Therefore, legal analysis of incidents occurring after that date must use the provisions applicable at the time of the incident.
C. Electronic Information and Transactions Law
Screenshots shared through messaging applications or social media constitute information in electronic form.
If their distribution involves accusations that attack someone's honor or reputation, the relevant legal provisions must be examined according to the date of the incident and the elements of the conduct.
Article 27A of the ITE Law, as amended in 2024, contains transitional provisions related to the implementation of the National Criminal Code. Therefore, this article should not automatically be considered the legal basis for criminal prosecution in every incident occurring after January 2, 2026.
What This Means for Students
The law does not only ask whether someone gave permission. It also considers the type of information being used, the purpose and legal basis of its use, and how the action was carried out.
The key lesson: Knowing the number of a legal provision is not enough. We need to understand its legal elements and ensure that the provision actually applies to the incident being analyzed.
04 — APPLICATION: HOW DOES THE LAW APPLY?
Let us compare three situations.
Scenario A — A Private Conversation Is Shared to Embarrass Someone
Raka takes screenshots of Dimas's messages and shares them in a school group chat with the intention of making Dimas the subject of ridicule.
Legal Analysis:
This action may raise privacy and personal data protection concerns, depending on the information contained in the screenshots and the circumstances of the processing.
If the post contains specific accusations that attack someone's honor or reputation, it is also necessary to examine whether the elements of the relevant legal provisions have been satisfied.
However, the conclusion that a criminal offense has occurred cannot be drawn solely from the fact that screenshots were shared without permission.
Scenario B — A Conversation Is Shared to Report a Threat
Dimas receives a threatening message from someone. He then shows screenshots to a teacher, parent, or relevant authority to seek help.
Legal Analysis:
The purpose and recipients of the information are different from Scenario A. Dimas is trying to seek assistance and protect himself.
Providing evidence to appropriate individuals or authorities responsible for handling threats may have a different legal basis and context from sharing the same information on social media to embarrass someone.
Therefore, it would be incorrect to treat every disclosure of a private conversation as an unlawful act.
Scenario C — Screenshots Are Shared on Social Media Without Complete Context
Someone uploads only part of a conversation, leaving out the earlier messages. Other people then draw conclusions about those involved based on the selected messages.
Legal Analysis:
It is necessary to examine the authenticity of the screenshots, the completeness of the context, the purpose of the upload, and whether the content contains misleading information or accusations that harm someone.
A screenshot does not always provide evidence that explains the entire incident. If its authenticity is disputed, an appropriate examination is necessary.
Additional Facts That Are Still Needed
Before reaching a legal conclusion, ask:
- What is the complete content and context of the conversation?
- What personal information is visible in the screenshots?
- Who captured and distributed the screenshots?
- To whom was the content sent?
- What was the purpose of sharing it?
- Were the screenshots edited or cropped?
- Was the conversation shared to embarrass someone, seek help, or report an incident?
- Is there evidence supporting each account of what happened?
What This Means for Students
Context can change how an action is evaluated. Sharing evidence with a teacher to report a threat is not the same as sharing a conversation in a school group chat to embarrass someone.
The key lesson: Do not judge an action based on a single screenshot. Examine the facts, context, purpose, and people who received the information.
05 — CONCLUSION: WHAT IS THE LEGAL CONCLUSION?
Sharing screenshots of a private conversation without permission may raise legal concerns, particularly if personal data is involved, the distribution is unlawful, or the content and context satisfy the elements of specific legal provisions.
However, not every instance of sharing a conversation without permission automatically constitutes a criminal offense. The assessment must consider the facts, purpose, lawful basis for processing where relevant, content of the conversation, and applicable legal elements.
On the other hand, privacy interests do not mean that someone is prohibited from seeking help or reporting threats and bullying. The manner in which evidence is shared and the people who receive it remain important.
A responsible legal conclusion must distinguish between unethical conduct, potential violations of rights, and actions that actually satisfy the elements of a criminal offense.
What This Means for Students
Thinking legally means not rushing to declare someone guilty simply because a conversation has been shared. We need to understand what happened and whether the relevant rules actually apply.
The key lesson: Privacy must be respected, evidence must be preserved, and legal conclusions must be based on facts.
06 — WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS DO?
If You Receive Someone Else's Private Conversation
1. Do Not Immediately Share It
Consider whether there is a legitimate and genuinely necessary reason to share it.
2. Consider the Purpose and Recipients
If the message involves threats or bullying, consider showing it to a trusted adult or relevant authority rather than distributing it to a wider audience.
3. Protect Unnecessary Personal Information
Where possible, limit the disclosure of irrelevant personal information when providing evidence to the appropriate person or authority.
4. Do Not Misleadingly Edit or Crop Evidence
Preserve the necessary context so that the meaning of the conversation is not misunderstood.
If Your Private Conversation Is Shared
1. Preserve Evidence.
Document the posts, dates, context, and other relevant information.
2. Avoid Further Distribution.
Do not repost the screenshots merely to prove that the content has already been shared.
3. Ask for Help.
If you are a student, discuss the issue with a parent, guardian, teacher, or trusted person.
4. Report the Incident if Necessary.
Use the platform's reporting channels or contact the appropriate parties if the distribution results in threats or serious harm.
5. Consider Seeking Legal Assistance.
If the problem continues or causes serious consequences, ask a legal professional to assess the available options.
What This Means for Students
Understanding our rights is not only about knowing what is prohibited. We also need to know how to preserve evidence, protect ourselves, seek help, and avoid retaliatory actions that could make the situation worse.
07 — WHY DOES THIS CASE MATTER TO YOUNG PEOPLE?
For young people, digital conversations are often spaces for sharing personal stories, friendship problems, opinions, and experiences that they do not necessarily want other people to know about.
However, a single screenshot can turn a limited conversation into widely distributed information. The content may lose its context, be misunderstood, or be used to embarrass someone.
This case teaches three important lessons.
First, privacy is a shared responsibility. Being the recipient of a message does not mean we can use or distribute its contents for any purpose.
Second, context is extremely important. Sharing evidence to seek help is different from sharing it to humiliate someone. The purpose, manner, and recipients of the information must be examined.
Third, digital footprints require careful consideration. Before sharing a conversation, we need to think about who will see it, what information will be exposed, and how it may affect the people involved.
Legal literacy does not mean being afraid to use technology or stopping ourselves from expressing opinions. Legal literacy means understanding rights, limitations, and responsibilities so that technology can be used more wisely.
08 — LEXTEEN PRIVACY CHECK
Before sharing a screenshot of a conversation, use these five questions.
WHO? Who is involved in the conversation?
WHAT? What personal information will be visible?
WHY? Why does the conversation need to be shared?
WHERE? Who will receive or see it?
HOW? How can it be shared without exposing unnecessary information or making the situation worse?
If your purpose is to report a threat or seek help, choose the appropriate recipient and share only the evidence necessary for that purpose.
A private message deserves careful handling—even when sharing it feels easy.
Private messages should be handled responsibly, even when sharing them takes only a single tap.
09 — LEXTEEN TAKEAWAY
Before sharing someone else's conversation, ask yourself:
- Do I have an appropriate reason to share it?
- Can unnecessary personal information be protected?
- Am I preserving the context of the conversation?
- Am I seeking help, or am I actually embarrassing someone?
- Is there a safer way to handle the situation?
Respect privacy.
Protect evidence.
Think before sharing.
LEGAL BASIS AND FURTHER READING
- Law No. 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection.
- Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.
- Law No. 1 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to the Electronic Information and Transactions Law.
- JDIH of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Law No. 27 of 2022: https://jdih.komdigi.go.id/produk_hukum/view/id/832/t/undangundang%2Bnomor%2B27%2Btahun%2B2022
DISCLAIMER
This content was prepared by LEXTEEN for educational and legal literacy purposes. The scenario used is illustrative and does not represent a real-life legal case.
This article does not constitute legal advice or a determination that any individual has committed a legal violation.
A legal assessment of an actual incident requires an examination of the relevant facts, evidence, applicable legal provisions, and context.