General

Electronic Transaction

Legal acts carried out using computers or electronic media.

How the laws define this

Both regulatory frameworks agree that an electronic transaction involves actions, interactions, or communications—including contracts—executed between parties using computers, networks, or other electronic means. The primary point of divergence centers on how the instruments limit and condition these acts. Under Government Regulation No.71/2019 on Electronic Systems and Transactions, the definition concentrates specifically on legal acts that produce legal effects under the law governing information and electronic transactions. In contrast, the Electronic Signature and Transactions Law No. 78 of 2012 defines transactions through a practical list of party interactions, explicitly incorporating offers, acceptances, payments, and electronic document exchanges. Furthermore, Law No. 78 of 2012 explicitly subjects these interactions to statutory requirements regarding authenticity, integrity, and consumer disclosure, whereas Government Regulation No.71/2019 focuses on whether the acts are legally relevant and carry legal effects.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Indonesia	Government Regulation No.71/2019 on Electronic Systems and Transactions	In Force	This definition specifies production of legal effects under the law governing information and electronic transactions, explicitly including contracts, communications, and other legally relevant acts.
Iraq	Electronic Signature and Transactions Law No. 78 of 2012	In Force	This definition emphasizes transactions or interactions like offers, acceptances, payments, and exchanges of electronic documents, while subjecting them to requirements for authenticity, integrity, and consumer disclosure.

What it triggers

In Indonesia, under Government Regulation No.71/2019 on Electronic Systems and Transactions, obligations for electronic system providers include protection of personal data and system reliability.source
In Iraq, under Electronic Signature and Transactions Law No. 78 of 2012, electronic transactions are subject to the law's requirements for authenticity, integrity, and consumer disclosure.source

Definitions (2)

Legal acts carried out using computers, computer networks or other electronic media that produce legal effects under the law governing information and electronic transactions, including contracts, communications and other legally relevant acts executed electronically.

Peraturan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia Nomor 71 Tahun 2019 tentang Penyelenggaraan Sistem dan Transaksi Elektronik (Government Regulation No.71/2019 on Electronic Systems and Transactions)Definition 1 of 2

Any transaction or interaction between parties that is carried out by electronic means, including offers, acceptances, payments and exchanges of electronic documents, subject to the law's requirements for authenticity, integrity, and consumer disclosure.

Electronic Signature and Transactions Law No. 78 of 2012Definition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

Electronic Contract

An electronic contract is specifically a contract formed by linking offer and acceptance electronically, whereas electronic transaction encompasses broader legal acts or interactions.

electronic document

An electronic document is any content in electronic form used as a document, while electronic transaction involves interactions or acts using such documents or other electronic means.

Questions and answers

What obligations apply to electronic transactions in Indonesia?

Under Government Regulation No.71/2019, obligations for electronic system providers, both public and private, include protection of personal data and ensuring system reliability.

What requirements must electronic transactions meet in Iraq?

Iraq's Electronic Signature and Transactions Law No. 78 of 2012 subjects electronic transactions to conditions for authenticity, integrity, and consumer disclosure.

How do electronic transactions differ from electronic contracts?

Electronic transactions cover a wider range of legal acts or interactions using electronic means, while electronic contracts specifically involve the formation of contracts through electronic offer and acceptance.