Indonesia’s Top Court Cracks Down on AI Deepfakes in Elections
Indonesia’s Constitutional Court delivered a landmark ruling on January 2, 2025, curbing the use of excessively manipulated images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns. The decision highlights growing global concerns about the spread of disinformation and the potential for AI-generated deepfakes to undermine democratic processes.
The court’s ruling stemmed from case number 166/PUU-XXI/2023, brought forth by TAPP, an election advocacy group. Chief Justice Suhartoyo announced the verdict: “The court partially granted the petitioner’s request.” This partial grant focused on Article 1, number 35, of Indonesia’s General Elections Law No. 7 of 2017,which defines electoral campaigning. The law states: “Electoral Campaign is the activity by Election Contestants or other parties appointed by Election Contestants to persuade voters to vote a certain way by advertising a particular Election Contestant’s vision, mission, platforms, and/or self-image.”
The court’s decision underscored the potential for AI-manipulated images to create legal ambiguity and violate the principles of fair elections. Deputy Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra emphasized the dangers of such technology. He stated that the creation of false information through excessive AI image manipulation “can damage voters’ ability to make quality decisions.”
Isra further warned of the broader implications: “So, excessive image manipulation through AI is not only detrimental to individual voters but also damages the quality of democracy.” This sentiment resonates with similar concerns in the United States, where the spread of misinformation through social media and AI-generated content has become a meaningful issue in recent elections.
The Indonesian ruling serves as a significant precedent, demonstrating a proactive approach to regulating the use of AI in political discourse. The decision’s impact extends beyond Indonesia, offering a potential model for other nations grappling with the challenges of AI-driven disinformation in elections. The ruling’s focus on “excessive” manipulation suggests a need for further clarification on what constitutes acceptable levels of AI-enhanced imagery in political advertising,a challenge that will likely require ongoing legal and technological development.
Indonesia’s Top Court Cracks Down on AI Deepfakes: An Interview With Our Senior Editor
Q: On january 2nd, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court made a landmark ruling regarding the use of AI generated deepfakes in political campaigns. Can you tell us more about this decision?
A: Absolutely. This ruling is a significant step in addressing the growing threat of disinformation in elections, particularly with the increasing sophistication of AI-generated content. The court partially granted a petition from TAPP, an election advocacy group, which challenged the legality of using excessively manipulated AI images in campaigns.
The decision focused on clarifying Article 1, number 35 of Indonesia’s General Elections Law, which defines electoral campaigning. The court’s primary concern was that AI-manipulated images create legal ambiguity and could violate the principles of fair elections by undermining voters’ ability to make informed decisions. As Deputy Constitutional Justice Saldi Isra pointed out,such manipulation can damage both individual voters and the overall quality of democracy. [1]
Q: This ruling seems to set a precedent for other countries grappling with the same issues. What are the potential implications beyond Indonesia?
A: I believe this ruling is incredibly vital for the global fight against election disinformation.Indonesia is taking a proactive approach to regulating the use of AI in political discourse. This decision could encourage other countries to enact similar measures and establish clear guidelines for the acceptable use of AI in political advertising. it demonstrates that there’s a growing awareness of the need to balance free speech with the protection of democratic processes from manipulation.
It’s important to remember that the court focused on “excessive” manipulation, which leaves some room for interpretation. We’ll likely see further legal and technological developments aimed at defining what constitutes acceptable levels of AI enhancement in political imagery. [1]
Q: The article mentions that concerns about AI-driven disinformation in elections are not unique to Indonesia. What parallels can we draw with the situation in other countries, such as the United States?
A: You’re right, the concerns are global. We’ve seen how the spread of misinformation through social media and AI-generated content has become a major issue in recent US elections. There’s a growing recognition that sophisticated disinformation campaigns can erode public trust in institutions and undermine the democratic process. The Indonesian ruling highlights the need for a global conversation on how to effectively regulate AI in the context of elections, ensuring transparency and accountability while protecting freedom of expression. [1] [3]
