inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) revealed that the internet and social media are the second highest channels for spreading violent extremism leading to terrorism in all cases of terrorism crimes in Indonesia.

Head of BNPT, Eddy Hartono, reveals that the findings was based on BNPY research that is included in I-KHub BNPT Counter Terrorism (CT) and Violent Extremism (VE) Outlook 2024. The research titled Misuse of Cyberspace for Violent Extremist Activities Leading to Terrorism.

"From 2013 to 2022, out of 721 decision files analyzed, there were 360 ​​cases of perpetrators of terrorism exposed through digital platforms," ​​said Eddy on Tuesday (12/3/2024).

To that end, he hopes that various efforts that have been made by various state institutions and elements of society in the future need to be implemented in a more coordinated manner in order to optimize resources and achieve maximum results.

The various efforts referred to include content control, cyber surveillance and patrol, blocking, propaganda contracts, community empowerment, and increasing digital literacy.

In addition, coordination between ministries and institutions with related tasks and functions and prevention of violent extremism and terrorism in cyberspace needs to be optimized through paradigm alignment in order to maximize the information obtained, resources, and prevention programs.

Eddy revealed that there has been a significant increase in propaganda activities of terrorist groups and their sympathizers in cyberspace that has been detected from year to year, including misusing international events related to religious and identity issues.

The increase in propaganda activities, he continued, was manifested in two terrorist attacks in Indonesia, which were completely influenced by radicalization via the internet.

He mentioned that there are several models of vulnerability to radicalization and exposure to violent extremism that leads to terrorism in cyberspace, including minimal digital literacy, exposure to social conflict, and alienation from community and cultural roots.

Meanwhile, the development of terrorism funding activities in Indonesian cyberspace has also been monitored, ranging from traditional fundraising to the use of financial technology.

He argued that the formation of identities and networks of terrorist groups and sympathizers on the internet has been proven to be able to form identities and figures that can drive terrorist actions, raise funds, and organize and organize networks.

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