Post-Mortem Digital Identity Abuse in Notarial Systems: Legal Gaps and Cyber Governance Reform
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33506/js.v12i3.5733Keywords:
Notary Digital Identity, Ghost Deed, EElectronic Authentication, Post-Mortem Digital Credentials, Cyber GovernanceAbstract
This study aims to analyze the legal vacuum surrounding post-mortem misuse of notarial digital identities, assess the validity of deeds generated through unauthorized access to deceased notaries’ credentials, and formulate a cyber governance framework.
This study employs normative legal research using statutory and conceptual approaches, focusing on notarial authority, authentic deeds, electronic authentication, data protection, cybersecurity, and notarial protocols following a notary’s death.
The novelty of this research lies in conceptualizing ghost deeds as a form of post-mortem digital identity abuse arising from the disconnection between the legal termination of notarial authority and the technical operability of digital credentials.
The results of the research indicate that Indonesian law remains focused on the physical transfer of notarial protocols and does not adequately regulate the deactivation, supervision, and audit of deceased notaries’ digital credentials. Consequently, electronic systems may create an appearance of authenticity despite the absence of valid legal authority. Ghost deeds should therefore be classified as null and void due to a fundamental defect of authority.
The conclusion of this study is that Indonesia requires a cyber governance framework incorporating automatic credential deactivation, strengthened digital identity certification, interoperable databases, cybersecurity audits, traceable authentication records, and clear civil, administrative, and criminal liability.
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