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Government plans to monitor chats in messaging apps

Jakarta Post - December 29, 2016

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Fachrul Sidiq, Jakarta – The government might enter the private sphere of its citizens when it implements a plan to monitor conversations in instant messaging applications.

Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said his ministry plans to monitor conversations on applications, including WhatsApp and Blackberry Messenger, as he alleged that many hate-fueled, false and provocative messages were widely circulating through them.

"Chatting is included on social media. We will have a different approach [to monitor it]," the minister said after a limited meeting at the State Palace on Thursday as reported by kompas.com.

He said that the minister would file a police report when it finds messages deemed provocative or slanderous. "We can trace the initial source," he added.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Thursday met a number of ministers and law enforcement leaders in a closed meeting to discuss the government's strategy to clamp down on provocative rumors and hoaxes on social media.

One of the circulating rumors is the claim that millions of Chinese workers had arrived in Indonesia and taken jobs from locals. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/29/govt-plans-to-monitor-chats-in-messaging-apps.html.