Hacker-for-hire services are rampant in Indonesia, warns cyber security forum

The Indonesian Cyber Security Forum (ICSF) has identified a growing trend of "hacker for hire" services, where professional cyber groups operate on a contract basis. Ardi Sutedja, the chairman of ICSF, stated that these groups are not only active globally but have also infiltrated the political and governmental spheres within Indonesia. He described these "hacker for hire" entities as akin to digital mercenaries, offering a spectrum of services from direct hacking to sophisticated influence campaigns in cyberspace. Sutedja indicated that these groups have been employed by both private entities and government actors, and some were involved in recent election activities.

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They are also used and paid by groups and individuals in the government. Some of these groups were also used for the last election.

Sutedja linked the expansion of the paid hacking industry to the aftermath of the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal, which highlighted the misuse of personal data for political targeting. He noted that instead of leading to greater data privacy awareness, the digital landscape has become more complex and opaque. Paid hacking groups now combine advanced cyber surveillance, artificial intelligence, and psychological operations to sway public opinion, suppress dissent, and disrupt democratic processes. The threat is amplified by technologies that allow for the covert collection of personal information, making victims unaware of the intrusion.

These cyber mercenaries offer services beyond device hacking, including the dissemination of disinformation, coordinated online harassment campaigns, and the creation of artificial public support for specific agendas. Sutedja expressed concern that the proliferation of these groups erodes public trust in democratic institutions and poses a threat to civil liberties, particularly through the intimidation and suppression of voters. Disinformation campaigns can fragment society and make it difficult for citizens to discern truth from fabricated information. Journalists, activists, and public figures are identified as primary targets for digital intimidation, aiming to silence critical voices through fake news, threats, and organized harassment.

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What is more surprising is how the impact of this scandal did not stop at the awareness of the importance of data privacy. Post-Cambridge Analytica, the digital landscape has actually become darker.

"One of the biggest threats from the existence of paid hackers is their attempt to delegitimize the integrity of elections," Sutedja stated. He observed that in recent years, these groups have used stolen documents, such as emails and sensitive information, to undermine electoral processes. The ability of these groups to operate with a degree of anonymity and to leverage sophisticated technology makes them a significant challenge to cybersecurity and democratic stability in Indonesia.

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One of the biggest threats from the existence of paid hackers is their attempt to delegitimize the integrity of elections.