JakartaPost-Feb 28, 2023
Digital freedom of expression will suffer further in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections, one watchdog’s study on cyberattacks has predicted, as the nation enters a period of enhanced competition to capture the hearts and minds of internet-savvy Indonesian voters. Particularly, the number of cyberattacks against critical voices is bound to be increase this year, according to the latest study by the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet). The report found that digital attacks in the country had more than doubled over the past two years, from 147 discrete instances in 2020 to 302 last year, cementing a trend that had grown from the start of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second term. The attacks targeted at least 130 people, mostly activists, students and journalists, that had criticized the government. In September 2022, a wave of cyberattacks targeted the website of local media company Narasi TV and the social media accounts of their journalists and employees, including founder and seasoned journalist Najwa Shihab. In April, at least 12 students who joined a rally to protest the idea of extending the presidential term limit and postponing the elections faced attempts by unknown assailants to take control of their social media accounts. In February 2022, the head of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Sasmito Madrim, became the target of hackers who took over his WhatsApp account and spread misinformation. In most instances, it remains unclear who the perpetrators were. However, based on the victims’ backgrounds, it was clear that the cyberattacks were politically motivated and that they were only going increase ahead of voting day, said SAFEnet secretary Anton Muhadjir. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2023/02/28/cyberattacks-to-rise-ahead-of-2024-elections-safenet.html.
