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Social media monitoring agency could curb free speech, activists warn
The new communications and information minister, Budi Arie Setiadi, says Indonesia needs an agency to monitor "disturbing" content on social media.
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The new communications and information minister, Budi Arie Setiadi, says Indonesia needs an agency to monitor "disturbing" content on social media. (Pexel/Tracy Le Blanc)
H
uman rights activists have raised concerns over the new communications minister’s plan to form a social media surveillance team, expressing fear that the move could stifle free expression online.
Shortly after his inauguration on July 17, Communications and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi told reporters that the country needed an agency to monitor “disturbing” content on social media. He likened the agency to the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), which monitors television and radio content.
“We find a lot of content on social media containing disturbing messages. Maybe soon we’ll need a social media monitoring agency,” Budi said.
A week later, the new minister claimed during a press briefing that the monitoring plan would uphold democratic principles while preventing conflict and commotion. He did not provide further details on the agency, noting that the discussion was still in its early phase.
Should the government decide to move forward with the monitoring, it would not suppress free speech on online platforms, the minister pledged.
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But critics are worried that the agency could become a tool for mass surveillance.
