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Hate speech clouds Indonesia's internet in 2016: Police
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Tech attachment: A man is glued to his computer. A significant number of Indonesian internet users are still digitally illiterate. (Kemudi Facebook Page/File)
N
ational Police cybercrime chief Sr. Com. Himawan Bayu Aji said hate speech became the most frequent online crime reported by citizens to the police last year.
Himawan said that hate speech, especially concerning race and religion, was the most frequently reported internet crime in 2016. He said cases include defamation, harassment, slander, provocation and threats against individuals or groups. From all the reports regarding hate speech in 2016, the police handled 199 cases.
He further said the widespread use of hate speech was aided by message applications.
“The messages have reached the police, [for example, one] in which there is a Whatsapp conversation that shows a tampered photo of National Police chief and deputy chief wearing Santa Claus hats,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.
(Read also: Ahok and hate speech, the (unexpected) outcome of democracy)
Himawan said the police shut down social media accounts that distributed hoaxes as a response to the cases. He also said the police would be more responsive in handling reports from citizens. (rdi/wit)
