ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship
A Worrying Increase in Online Reports
Based on Defamation
The Indonesian National Police has a special Cyber
According to a breakdown of these numbers based
Crime Unit who is tasked with handling reports of
on the type of offence, defamation is the most
computer and computer-related crimes. According
commonly reported, followed by indecency and
to data published on the Unit’s website, the number
hate speech. Meanwhile, fake news reports had a
of reports they receive is consistently increasing.49
significant jump between 2019 and 2020, a period
The Indonesian House of Representatives also
that coincides with the coronavirus outbreak. Full
revealed that some 3,500 reports were received by
data from 2021 is unavailable, although we were
the Unit in the first quarter of 2021 alone.50 By the
able to fetch figures of cyber threat and fake news
end of that year, a tally released by the Unit showed
reports.52
that the figure had climbed to 4,080. However, this
data is neither final nor accurate as it does not line
up with the breakdown provided in Table 1 below.51
YEAR
DEFAMATION
HATE SPEECH
INDECENCY
CYBER THREATS
FAKE NEWS
2020
1,479
223
404
135
197
2021
N/A
N/A
N/A
5,276
414
2022
N/A
N/A
N/A
4,860
N/A
2023
838
N/A
N/A
3,758
N/A
Fig. 2.5: Breakdown of reports based on offence type, Indonesia, 2020-2023.
The notable surge in reported cases, particularly during 2020, predominantly concerning defamation and hate
speech, serves as compelling evidence of the escalating constraints on online speech and expression in recent
years. While there is a decrease in defamation reports, we still need to examine whether this indicates a
genuine reduction in actual incidents or if, in reality, the dark figure has increased. It could be changes in
reporting mechanisms, public awareness, or legal frameworks, given Indonesians must often practise selfcensorship and refrain from speaking up against or criticising the government. It was also revealed that a good
portion of those reports were submitted by individuals who are in a position of power, such as public officials,
professionals and affluent persons.53
Indonesia
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