This study examines how the Indonesian diaspora in Belgium perceives and navigates the implications of the Information and Electronic Transactions Law (UU ITE). Despite being physically outside Indonesia and protected by Belgian legal frameworks that guarantee freedom of expression, the diaspora remains deeply affected by the extraterritorial influence of the UU ITE. Findings reveal that participants recognize the law as a tool that can be selectively applied to suppress dissent, leading them to adopt cautious online behaviors. These include moderating their tone, carefully selecting words, and grounding their opinions in factual evidence. Moreover, the diaspora has developed adaptive communication strategies to mitigate risks. Such strategies involve employing coded language, satire, or metaphors in public forums and shifting sensitive discussions to private or encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp. Platform selection is strategic, as open networks like Facebook and Instagram are perceived as more vulnerable to surveillance. At the interpersonal level, communication patterns vary according to trust and audience segmentation. The study concludes that the chilling effect of the UU ITE extends beyond Indonesia’s borders, shaping diaspora discourse and reinforcing self-censorship in transnational contexts. These findings highlight the broader implications of digital authoritarianism for global migrant communities.

Kata Kunci: diaspora, freedom of expression, UU ITE, self-censorship, digital communication