During the mass protests at the end of August 2025, Indonesian police reportedly intensified cyber patrols 142 . The National Police, together with the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, reportedly blocked 592 social media accounts deemed to be “spreading provocative and seditious narratives.”143 Authorities named seven suspects for allegedly inciting people to attack the homes of parliament members and police stations144. The alleged incitement was reportedly spread through online platforms. However, some of these individuals are merely activists critical of the government and state institutions145. Indonesia is known for employing “buzzers,” online trolls recruited to manipulate public opinion. These cyber trolls have also reportedly been used under Prabowo’s administration to favor the government. During the mass protests between August and September 2025, social media influencers reportedly received messages from unknown numbers offering paid collaborations146. They were asked to create content calling for peace in exchange for payments amounting to hundreds of millions of rupiah147. Drone Emprit, a social media monitoring agency in Indonesia, reported activity by influencer accounts questioning the mass demonstrations148. These accounts questioned the demonstrations’ agenda and whether they were sponsored149. They also claimed that groups with negative intentions toward Prabowo were behind the incident. Another research team from the Monash Data and Democracy Research Hub found that of ten million social media conversations they recorded in relation to the demonstrations, only around 13,000 appeared to reflect netizens’ authentic voices150. Ristiyanti, Jihan. “Police in Indonesia Claim to Step up Cyber Surveillance Ahead of Week-Long Protests.” Tempo.co, 4 Sep. 2025, en.tempo.co/read/2046094/police-in-indonesia-claim-to-step-up-cybersurveillance-ahead-of-week-long-protests. 143. Ibid. 144. Ristiyanti, Jihan. “Indonesian Police Name Seven Suspects for Provocation, Incitement on Social Media Leading to Riots.” Tempo.co, 4 Sep. 2025, en.tempo.co/read/2045995/indonesian-police-name-sevensuspects-for-provocation-incitement-on-social-media-leading-to-riots. 145. “Chronology of the Arrest of Riau Student Activist Khariq Anhar: Changing News Quotes by KSPI President Said Iqbal.” Tempo.co, 1 Sep. 2025, www.tempo.co/hukum/kronologi-penangkapan-aktivis-mahasiswariau-khariq-anhar-ubah-kutipan-berita-presiden-kspi-said-iqbal--2065442. 146. “Efforts to Undermine Demonstrations Through Influencers.” Tempo.co, 4 Sep. 2025, www.tempo.co/ politik/narasi-influencer-merepsons-tuntutan-demonstran-2066522. 147. Ibid. 148. “A War of Narratives Suppresses Demonstrations Against the Dissolution of the House of Representatives.” Tempo.co, 7 Sep. 2025, www.tempo.co/politik/perang-narasi-demonstrasi-pembubaran-dpr-2067320. 149. Ibid. 150. Ibid. 142. 37