The Right to Privacy in Religious Court Judgments: Limits of Public Disclosure

Abstract

The publication of judicial decisions is an essential element of judicial transparency and accountability; however, it also raises concerns regarding the protection of individual privacy, particularly in proceedings before Religious Courts that frequently involve sensitive personal and family matters. The increasing accessibility of court judgments through digital platforms has intensified the tension between the public's right to information and the individual's right to privacy. This study examines the legal limits of public disclosure in Religious Court judgments and evaluates whether the existing Indonesian legal framework provides adequate protection for personal data without undermining the principles of open justice. Employing a normative legal research method through statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches, the study analyzes legislation governing judicial openness, personal data protection, and Religious Court proceedings, together with relevant judicial policies and legal doctrines. The findings demonstrate that although public access to court decisions promotes transparency, unrestricted disclosure may expose sensitive personal information and infringe constitutional privacy rights. The study argues that public disclosure should be guided by the principles of necessity, proportionality, and data minimization through systematic anonymization of personal information while preserving the transparency and integrity of judicial reasoning. Accordingly, clearer regulatory standards and consistent implementation are required to achieve an appropriate balance between judicial openness, the protection of privacy, and public confidence in the administration of justice.