Securing Democracy: Indonesia’s Cybersecurity in the Era of Deepfakes
As Indonesia approaches elections in February 2024, Southeast Asia’s largest country is facing a significant challenge with the rise of deepfakes and cybersecurity threats. Similar to issues faced by Taiwan, these technological challenges are affecting the democratic process. Deepfake technology, which creates realistic but fake videos, is causing concern in political discussions and reflecting wider trends in digital manipulation. In response, the Indonesian government and presidential candidates are focusing on strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity. This involves addressing threats in various ways, from increasing cybersecurity budgets to upgrading technology to combat AI-related threats. Companies, too, are playing a role looking to adopt advanced technologies for fraud prevention. The efforts also extend to educating the public and creating regulatory frameworks to protect against these digital threats
The rise of deepfakes and the Indonesian Context
In response to the increasing threat of falsification of information, deep fakes, in Indonesia’s dynamic political landscape, immediate action is essential. While Indonesia has outlined a national AI strategy back in 2020, the focus on broader aspects of AI ignores the specific challenges posed by deep fakes, prompting activists to request regulation from the General Election Commission (KPU) . Recent examples include political figures, such as President Jokowi endorsing a specific candidate, in fluent Chinese, or seeing clips of presidential candidates Prabowo Subianto and Anies Baswedan speaking perfect Arabic. Moreover, a recent video featuring the late General Suharto urging voters to support political parties went viral, raising concerns about the exploitation of historical figures for political gain.
To holistically address the challenges posed by deepfake technology, governments should work in partnership with technology companies to develop comprehensive awareness campaigns and educational programs. These initiatives should focus on educating the public about deep fakes, including how to discern authentic content from manipulated scenarios, such as fabricated videos of figures like Prabowo and Anies speaking Arabic. Integral to these efforts is the adoption of strategies recommended by the MIT Media Lab, notably a set of eight guiding questions that aid individuals in recognizing deepfakes.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (KOMINFO) is intensifying three initiatives to reduce the impact of deep fakes and hoaxes, including a task force dedicated to monitoring and addressing deepfakes. In addition, KOMINFO is also looking to establish a regulatory framework to tackle misconduct of deep fakes. Such collaborative and multi-faceted approaches are essential to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process against the burgeoning threat of AI-manipulated content.
Cybersecurity defences against deepfakes
To complement these educational and regulatory efforts, examining regional responses to similar challenges provides valuable insights into effective cybersecurity strategies. For instance, in January 2024, Singapore made an announcement to allocate $20 million to build the Center for Advanced Technology in Online Safety (Catos) as a response strategy to the growing threat of deep fakes and misinformation. The initiative's objective is to develop cutting-edge tools, including the use of watermarking technology, to identify altered content and raise public awareness about online safety. Amidst rising concerns about the widespread use of deepfake technology, ranging from corporate impersonation to election interference, Catos is set to focus on devising effective methods for identifying harmful content. The centre will collaborate with researchers, technology developers, and industry experts to enhance awareness and cultivate a dedicated network for online trust and safety. As the capabilities of deep fakes become more advanced, there is a? growing challenge in detecting and countering these threats, stressing the immediate need for a proactive stance that includes the development of sophisticated detection tools, heightened public awareness, and strong security protocols
Addressing cybersecurity in Indonesia
Indonesian presidential candidates have committed to strengthening the nation's cyber resilience in light of the growing threats posed by deep fakes and other cybersecurity challenges, as emphasised in the recent presidential debate.
This comes as Indonesia grapples with an uptick in cybersecurity challenges, a situation exacerbated by an increase in cyber attacks during the pandemic, which has prompted companies to enhance their digital defences. A survey conducted at the 43rd edition of AIBP Conference and Exhibition in Indonesia by AIBP , 62% of Indonesian enterprises believe their organisations should allocate more than 20% of their IT budget to cybersecurity. However, at present, over 50% of these organisations allocate less than 5% of their budget to cybersecurity.
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Source: 2023 AIBP Innovation Survey?
There is a pressing need to thwart cyber attacks, modernise ageing infrastructure, raise employee awareness, and protect against malware and phishing scams, especially those targeting e-commerce and digital payment platforms. At the same conference, DANA Indonesia , a leading e-wallet company in Indonesia, also highlighted its use of AI tools for fraud prevention. Ongoing investment and vigilance is crucial for Indonesian companies to navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape effectively.
As the February 2024 elections approach, the threat posed by deepfake technology presents significant challenges to democracy in Indonesia. Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives are essential to help the public distinguish between genuine and manipulated content. Beyond deep fakes, Indonesia's broader cybersecurity challenges include the need for infrastructure upgrades, system updates, and increased awareness of cyber threats. Furthermore, government guidance and regulatory frameworks, along with the integration of AI, are critical for comprehensive risk management in the digital era
Listen to the AIBP B2B Growth podcast episode, Cybersecurity in Indonesia on Spotify, featuring insights from DANA Indonesia , Jakarta Smart City , and Jabar Digital Service .
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