The Principle of Legality in Cybercrime Investigation Based on the Electronic Information and Transactions Law

The rapid expansion of digital technology has fundamentally transformed criminal behavior patterns, creating unprecedented challenges for legal systems worldwide in maintaining adherence to fundamental legal principles while addressing emerging cyber threats. This research examines the implementation of the principle of legality in cybercrime investigation based on Indonesia's Electronic Information and Transactions Law, analyzing the complex intersection between classical legal doctrines and contemporary digital law enforcement realities. Using normative legal research methodology with statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches, this study systematically analyzes primary legal materials including constitutional provisions, statutory law, judicial decisions, and government regulations, supplemented by secondary sources from domestic and international legal scholarship. The research reveals significant tensions between the principle of legality's requirements for legal certainty, specificity, and procedural fairness, and the practical demands of cybercrime investigation involving digital evidence collection, cross-border cooperation, and rapidly evolving technological threats. Empirical analysis demonstrates that approximately 43% of cybercrime cases result in acquittals or dismissals due to procedural errors and evidentiary inadequacies, indicating substantial implementation challenges. Comparative examination of international frameworks, including the European Union's Directive 2013/40/EU and Singapore's Computer Misuse Act, reveals that successful cybercrime legislation requires careful calibration of legal precision with operational flexibility. The study concludes that Indonesia's current legal framework inadequately addresses the unique challenges of digital criminal behavior while maintaining constitutional compliance. Key recommendations include a comprehensive revision of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law to enhance definitional clarity, establishing specialized cybercrime investigation units with advanced technical capabilities, and developing standardized operating procedures ensuring consistent application of legality principle requirements across all jurisdictions.