Indonesia Urges Social Media to Remove AI-Generated Hoaxes After August 25 Protest Turns Chaotic

Deputy Minister Calls for Removal of AI-Generated Content Amid August 25 Protest

Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Communication and Digitalization, Angga Raka Prabowo, has urged social media platforms to act against AI-generated content that fueled the chaotic protest at the House of Representatives (DPR) building on August 25, 2025. According to Angga, manipulated content spread on social media played a significant role in biasing and provoking unrest during the demonstration.

He emphasized that social media platforms should deploy systems capable of detecting AI-generated or false content and remove it promptly. "This is not about suppressing freedom of expression but preventing provocation on the ground," Angga explained at the Presidential Communications Office on August 26.

The government has invited representatives from TikTok Asia Pacific and Meta Indonesia to discuss implementing such measures. However, communication with X (formerly Twitter) has not been established due to the absence of a local office. Angga stressed that platforms operating on Indonesian infrastructure must comply with local laws.

Social Media's Role in Mobilizing August 25 Protest

The call to action for the August 25 protest, labeled as the "Indonesian People's Revolution," spread rapidly on social media. The movement invited workers, farmers, students, and other groups to demand an investigation into alleged corruption involving former President Joko Widodo’s family and call for the impeachment of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

An invitation message circulating on August 24 urged citizens to pressure the DPR to fulfill its oversight duties. Several social media accounts uploaded videos portraying the protest preparations, but many videos showed outdated or misleading scenes. For example, a popular TikTok account shared footage of crowds in academic gowns and barriers at the DPR gate, but the recording dates were unconfirmed.

One video on TikTok, viewed over 2.7 million times, depicted supposed current conditions at the DPR entrance, stirring significant public concern. Some comments focused on the high allowances received by DPR members, including a housing allowance of Rp50 million per month, intensifying public scrutiny of the legislative body.

Uncertainty About Organizers and Support

Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, Chairperson of the All-Indonesia Workers Confederation (KSPSI), publicly banned all KSPSI members, especially in the Jakarta metropolitan area, from participating in the protest due to unclear organizers and demands.

Similarly, the community group 'Bareng Warga' declined involvement, citing suspicions about non-organic participation and questionable narratives circulating online. They noted unusual support from accounts typically critical of protests, which raised concerns about misinformation and orchestrated influence campaigns.

Protest Escalates Into Chaos and Arrests

The protest escalated into chaos by evening. A photojournalist from the National News Agency Antara, Bayu Pratama, was reportedly struck multiple times by police while covering the event despite clearly identifying himself with press credentials.

The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) reported that around 370 protesters were arrested during the demonstration, with nearly half suspected to be minors. Legal aides visiting the Metropolitan Police Headquarters confirmed the numbers and noted many detainees showed signs of injury.

Implications for Communication Professionals

• Social media’s role in shaping public perception during protests highlights the importance of monitoring AI-generated content and misinformation.
• Collaboration between government and social media platforms is critical to ensure timely removal of harmful content without infringing on free speech.
• Clear communication and transparency about protest organizers and demands can help prevent confusion and potential misuse of social movements.
• Understanding the dynamics of viral content and its effects on public order is essential for those managing crisis communication and public affairs.

For communication professionals interested in further understanding AI’s impact on social media and content moderation, exploring specialized courses on AI tools and prompt engineering can be valuable. Resources such as Complete AI Training’s prompt engineering courses offer practical insights into identifying and managing AI-generated content.