Prit! Police Send Virtual Police Alert To Hoax Spreader's Social Media Account

Illustration / UNSPLASH

JAKARTA - The National Police apparently gave 12 warnings via direct message to social media accounts that were suspected of spreading false or hoax information.

This virtual warning effort is part of the Virtual Police work system in handling cases of violations of the ITE Law.

"February 24, 2021, sent via DM (direct message) as many as 12 virtual police warnings to social media accounts. We are already on the way," said the Director of Cyber Crimes at Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Slamet Uliandi, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, February 24.

He said this was in the context of following up the Circular (SE) of the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo numbered: SE / 2/11/2021 concerning Ethical Cultural Awareness to Realize a Clean, Healthy and Productive Indonesian Digital Space.

In the SE, the National Police Chief requested that the handling of cases of violations of the ITE Law prioritize restorative justice efforts.

Slamet explained that the Bareskrim Dittipidsiber conducted cyber patrols to monitor content that was indicated to contain hoaxes and incitement.

Before giving a virtual warning, his party has asked for the opinion of criminal experts, linguists and ITE experts. Because of this, virtual warnings were issued based on expert opinion, not the subjective opinion of the Police investigator.

The warning message was sent twice to netizens who were suspected of uploading hoax content or hate speech. The goal is, within 1x24 hours, the content will be deleted by the uploader.

If the upload on social media is not deleted by the uploader / account owner, the investigator will again give a virtual warning. If the second warning is still not followed, the uploader / account owner will be called for clarification.

According to Slamet, prosecution is the final step in handling cases of violations of the ITE Law.

"The stages of the strategy are carried out through several processes. First, education, then virtual warnings, after virtual warnings are made, we carry out mediation, restorative justice. After restorative justice, then police reports. So that not all violations or irregularities in cyberspace are made efforts. law enforcement, but prioritizes mediation and restorative justice so as to create a clean, healthy, ethical and productive cyber space, "said Slamet.

Criminal acts that can be resolved by restorative justice include cases of defamation, slander and insult. In addition, the perpetrator is also not detained because restorative justice promotes justice and balance between the perpetrator and the victim.

Slamet emphasized that the National Police would not take action against someone who criticized the government who delivered criticism in a polite and civilized manner. However, if criticism is delivered by adding hate speech and hoaxes, it will be punished.

"Criticism is fine, but hate speech, slander and lies are not good," added Slamet.