"There are (internet bots) in a platform that can spread information to one million people in one click. We have spoken to the platform to not launch that tool, keep it first, and we will discuss it again after the election," the Ministry's Director General of Public Information and Communication, Usman Kansong, stated.
Kansong made this statement after a forum group discussion (FGD) themed "The Role of State Media in Making the 2024 Elections Peaceful."
Bots are automated software that perform repetitive tasks over a network. The bot can run at any time without having to wait for it to be manually operated by a human.
According to Kansong, bots must be anticipated through technological approaches.
On the other hand, he did not deny that the bot program can also benefit the community, but it can even be abused by humans.
Related news: Netizens urged against spreading hoaxes ahead of 2024 elections
Thus, Kominfo is concerned about the impact of the massive dissemination of information, especially false news and hoaxes.
"We have to anticipate both the positive and negative sides. It (the bot) can spread hoaxes to one million at once, not to mention the people that will share them with others," he cautioned.
Hence, he said that Kominfo will prepare a regulation on platforms that own bots, so they can limit their use.
"We have to be selective because otherwise it can be dangerous," he remarked.
Earlier, Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi stated that Indonesia's digital space was still safe from hoaxes ahead of the General Election.
Meanwhile, Kominfo has urged the public to keep the digital space safe and free of hoaxes ahead of next year's elections.
Related news: Bawaslu, TikTok agree to curb election hoaxes
Translator: Narda S, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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