Constitutional Accountability of Digital Social Welfare Programs in Indonesia: A Constitutional Law and Social Justice Perspective
Heru Dwi Herbowo, Blessing C Shanduka, Firdaus Ayu Palestina, Tolotsoa Fitahiana Ralaimbita, Fernaldy Aditya Yanuar

Social Welfare Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Wijaya Kusuma University Surabaya
Law Study Program, Faculty of Law, UPN Veteran Jawa Timur

Abstract

The digital transformation of social welfare administration encouraged the Indonesian government to develop several data-based systems, including the Integrated Social Welfare Data (Data Terpadu Kesejahteraan Sosial/DTKS), the Social Welfare Information System Next Generation (SIKS-NG), and various digital social assistance services. This digitalization improved efficiency, transparency, and targeting accuracy, yet it also generated new problems such as exclusion errors, inclusion errors, digital divides, personal data breaches, and weak grievance mechanisms that potentially undermined citizens^ constitutional rights. This study aimed to analyze the constitutional accountability of Indonesia^s digital social welfare programs from the perspectives of constitutional law and social justice, and to formulate an accountability model relevant to a digital welfare state. The study employed normative legal research using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. Legal materials were analyzed qualitatively through legal interpretation and prescriptive analysis. The findings revealed that the digitalization of social welfare in Indonesia had not yet fully complied with the principles of constitutional accountability, as unequal access, weak grievance mechanisms, and inadequate protection of beneficiaries^ personal data persisted. The principles of the rule of law, equality before the law, constitutional rights, and good governance were not entirely fulfilled, which in turn hindered the achievement of social justice in terms of redistribution, recognition, and representation. This study recommended strengthening the legal framework, public participation, and independent oversight mechanisms to ensure constitutional accountability in the governance of digital social welfare.

Keywords: Constitutional Accountability- Constitutional Law- Digital Governance- Digital Social Welfare- Social Justice.

Topic: Responsible Governance in the Digital Era: Navigating Transparency, Accountability, and Public Trust (E-Governance- Digital Governance- Transparency- Accountability)