Kominfo Anticipates Deepfake Abuse To Vulnerable Groups

JAKARTA - Ahead of the 2024 General Election (Pemilu), the Ministry of Communication and Information continues to strive to protect vulnerable groups from the rapid use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Nezar Patria emphasized that the Ministry of Communication and Informatics has tried to anticipate opportunities for disinformation through AI and also deepfakes.

During 2023, Home Security Heroes data shows there are 95,820 deep fake videos spread globally. Using AI technology, deepfakes are able to manipulate videos, images, and sounds according to the wishes of the creators.

"There is an increase of 550 percent from 2019 globally. What is very worrying is that it can be misused and manipulated for fraud, pornography, and other malicious purposes, which lead to the spread of disinformation," Nezar said in his official broadcast on Friday, November 17.

According to him, there are three impacts and the victimization that may occur due to disinformation through deepfakes. First, profiling based on AI algorithms tends to be biased and can be misused to target vulnerable groups.

"Secondly, in some cases of politics and socialism that occur on digital platforms, the spread of disinformation is often aimed at deliberately targeting and harming vulnerable groups," he continued.

Finally, Nezar said that women are targeted in pornographic content which was deliberately created through Deep Fake technology.

"Therefore, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics pays full attention to vulnerable groups such as women, people who live in rural areas, disability groups, the elderly, and young people," he said.

Therefore, Nezar emphasized that an inclusive approach is able to provide digital technology that can be accessed and adopted by everyone, and support the use of the internet as well as meaningful and secure digital services.