Legal Certainty in Consumer Protection Against Abusive Debt Collection

This research examines the legal certainty provided by Financial Services Authority Regulation (POJK) Number 22 of 2023 in protecting consumers against abusive debt collection practices in Indonesia. The study aims to analyze how the regulation establishes standards for debt collection, allocates institutional responsibility, and addresses consumer protection challenges in the digital financial services sector. The research employs a normative juridical approach based on statutory analysis, legal doctrine, and relevant documented cases, using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches to examine the relationship between regulatory provisions and their implementation. The findings indicate that POJK Number 22 of 2023 strengthens the legal framework by establishing clearer obligations for financial service institutions, reinforcing accountability for third party debt collectors, and supporting ethical collection practices. However, the effectiveness of these protections remains constrained by supervisory weaknesses, limited consumer legal literacy, inconsistent enforcement, and insufficient oversight of outsourced collection activities. This study contributes to digital legal governance by demonstrating that consumer protection depends not only on the clarity of regulatory norms but also on institutional accountability, personal data protection, accessible complaint mechanisms, and consistent regulatory supervision. It concludes that stronger implementation and coordinated oversight are necessary to reinforce legal certainty, protect consumer rights, and support accountable financial governance in Indonesia, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16.