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View all search resultsPlan to cap social media accounts sparks debate over online freedoms
Second Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Nezar Patria said earlier this week that the ministry was reviewing the measure, which would require each resident to maintain only one social media account, and that it had recently gained traction in the House of Representatives.
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The Communications and Digital Ministry is reviewing a plan to cap the number of social media accounts per person in Indonesia. (Pexel/Tracy Le Blanc)
T
he government and lawmakers are weighing a plan to cap the number of social media accounts per person in Indonesia to curb online fraud and misinformation, an idea that has sparked doubts over its practicality and potential risks to free expression.
Second Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Nezar Patria said earlier this week that the ministry was reviewing the measure, which would require each resident to maintain only one social media account, and that it had recently gained traction in the House of Representatives.
“We are reviewing this because it is also related to the Single Data program,” Nezar told reporters on Monday, referring to the government’s integrated data service.
“Having one account per person could be one of the solutions to prevent scams and other online fraud, and make it easier for the government to monitor misinformation and hoaxes,” he added.
The proposal has been pushed by lawmakers in House Commission I overseeing communications and information since earlier this year, amid concerns over the influence of anonymous accounts, “buzzers” or paid political influencers, and disinformation campaigns.
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Commission I member Oleh Soleh of the National Awakening Party (PKB) previously argued that duplicate accounts were “extremely damaging and are ultimately misused” by those behind them, Antara reported.
