January 8, 2026 | 12:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) says it is investigating several cases involving deepfakes and other forms of digital media manipulation created using artificial intelligence.
Police are also examining the potential criminal liability of photo manipulation carried out through Grok, an AI service available on the social media platform X.
“We are currently investigating in that direction. This has become a focus of our Cyber Crime Directorate,” said Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, Director of Cyber Crime at Bareskrim, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Himawan said multiple cases are now under review and that criminal charges could be pursued if investigators determine the actions constitute unlawful manipulation of electronic data.
“When it comes to AI, as long as it can be established that there is electronic data manipulation, it can be treated as a criminal offense,” he said.
In recent weeks, manipulated images generated using Grok have circulated widely on X. Users have issued text-based commands instructing the AI to alter photographs, including requests to make individuals appear nude or to add other indecent content.
Police say such practices raise serious legal and ethical concerns, particularly when they involve non-consensual or misleading digital alterations.
Annisa Febiola contributed to the writing of this article.
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