Session
Safer Internet Lab (SAIL), Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Arya Fernandes (M), Head of Department Politics and Social Change, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Beltsazar Krisetya (M), Researcher, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Pieter Pandie, Researcher, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Farhan Julianto, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Targets: The session emphasizes the importance of developing reliable, sustainable and resilient digital infrastructure, including at the regional and transborder levels in Southeast Asia. By addressing the challenges of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), SAIL aims to support economic development and human well-being by promoting affordable and equitable access to a safer online ecosystem. SAIL's multistakeholder model enhances scientific research and upgrades technological capabilities in Indonesia and Southeast Asia by bringing together experts from government, civil society, and the private sector. The session will showcase how SAIL encourages innovation and knowledge sharing to combat mis- and disinformation effectively.
The session will feature brief presentations from expert speakers, followed by an extended Q&A and discussion facilitated by onsite and online moderators. Participants will be encouraged to share insights and pose questions through interactive tools like live polling and collaborative whiteboards. Key findings and future actions will be summarized and disseminated post-event. Through this inclusive and action-oriented format, the session aspires to inform policy approaches, strengthen stakeholder cooperation, and rally support for SAIL's vital mission to combat information disorder in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Reflecting the multi-stakeholder nature of IGF, this session is co-organised by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) under the research consortium of the Safer Internet Lab (SAIL). Established in 2022 and introduced at IGF 2023 (https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2023-lightning-talk-114-apac-safer-internet-lab-progressing-against-misinformation), SAIL has served as a hub for studying and exploring solutions to address mis- and disinformation in Indonesia. Over the past year, SAIL has fostered tripartite communication between government, civil society, and tech platforms to combat information disorder. This session will reflect on SAIL's achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in its first year of operation. The Safer Internet Lab (SAIL) is a multi-stakeholder effort focusing on the study and exploration of solutions to address the problem of mis- and disinformation as it affects users, economies and societies in Indonesia, and in the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The SAIL partnership was initiated by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Google and aims to bring together the brightest minds from across stakeholder groups - think-tanks, universities, civil society organisations, governmental bodies and technology platforms - to discuss trends, policy best practices, learnings and to brainstorm sustainable solutions to address information disorder, also referred to as mis- and dis-information. The goal is to create discussions, collaborations and forums for the co-development of solutions that ultimately build a safer web for users in the region. Building upon this foundation, SAIL aims to expand its scope to tackle the information disorder across Southeast Asia. As outlined in SAIL's policy brief "Regional and Cross-Border Responses Towards Disinformation in Southeast Asia," the region faces mounting vulnerabilities amidst escalating geopolitical tensions and the digital divide among ASEAN member states. (https://saferinternetlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Policy-Brief-Regional-and-Cross-Border-Responses-Towards-Disinformation-in-Southeast-Asia-.pdf)
This session will explore how SAIL's multi-stakeholder model can be adapted and scaled to address information disorder at a regional level. Panelists will discuss: - SAIL's impact and evolution as a research hub, convention centre, and clearing house in Indonesia - Emerging trends and challenges of information disorder in the Southeast Asian political and information landscape - Opportunities for cross-border collaboration and capacity building to counter disinformation - Policy recommendations to balance digital innovation and resilience in ASEAN's online ecosystem The session aims to catalyze regional dialogue and knowledge sharing to develop collective, multi-stakeholder strategies against information manipulation. By amplifying Southeast Asian perspectives in the global internet governance discourse, SAIL seeks to contribute to a safer and more equitable digital future for the region.
This lightning talk will be conducted in person and guided by an onsite moderator who will ensure that all speakers and participants are actively engaged, with opportunities to raise questions and contribute insights. The session will begin with speaker presentations, followed by policy questions to foster active discussions and exchanges with the audience. A dedicated 10-15 minute Q&A session will provide participants with the opportunity to pose questions and share their perspectives. The moderator will conclude the session by delivering a comprehensive summary of the key findings, recommendations, and proposed future actions.
Report
The Safer Internet Lab (SAIL), in partnership with CSIS and Google, hosted a pivotal session at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024, held from December 15 to 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The session, titled Safer Internet Lab (SAIL): a Disinformation Clearing House. This event was an important platform for discussing the challenges posed by disinformation, particularly during Indonesia's 2024 elections, and for exploring strategies to mitigate its impact.
The Lightning Talk began with Mr. Beltsazar Krisetya providing a comprehensive introduction to SAIL, a research initiative launched on April 1, 2023, to tackle disinformation in Indonesia. A collaboration between CSIS and Google, SAIL focuses on identifying policy gaps and employing multidisciplinary strategies to combat the escalating challenges of information disorder. Its core objectives are to deter disinformation actors, empower users through media literacy, and advocate for co-regulation models to enhance digital governance.
Mr. Arya Fernandes followed with key findings from SAIL’s recent national survey, which highlighted a significant rise in internet accessibility across Indonesia. By 2024, 72.8% of the population, equivalent to 205 million people, had regular internet access. The survey revealed a persistent digital divide, with urban areas enjoying higher connectivity rates compared to rural regions. Gen Z emerged as the most connected demographic, underscoring their pivotal role in influencing online discourse and digital culture.
A notable trend revealed in the survey was the growing dominance of social media as the primary source of information. Social media platforms overtook television, with 56.5% of respondents citing social media as their main source of news, compared to 28.8% for television. This shift underscores the increasing reliance on digital platforms for information, making them a crucial battleground for both authentic content and disinformation.
The discussion then turned to public belief in false information. The survey showed a worrying trend: belief in election-related disinformation rose from 42.3% in 2023 to 54.6% in 2024, while belief in non-election-related disinformation also climbed to 51.6%. The presentation highlighted the role of diversified misinformation formats, including AI-generated content, in making disinformation more believable. One example shared was an AI-generated video of a presidential candidate speaking in Arabic—a language the candidate does not know—which went viral during the 2024 campaign. Such cases illustrate how advanced technologies are being weaponized to manipulate public opinion.
The session also explored public modalities in dealing with information disorder. More than half of the respondents reported verifying the truth of information before sharing it, using methods such as consulting fact-checking organizations or official government websites. These findings suggest a growing awareness among Indonesians of the need to verify information, even as they continue to grapple with an overwhelming volume of false content online.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion that delved into the implications of these findings. Panelists emphasized the need for comprehensive policy responses to address the challenges posed by disinformation. They also highlighted the importance of SAIL’s co-regulation model, which brings together the government, civil society, and digital platforms to create a balanced approach to managing online content.
Looking to the future, SAIL announced its plans to focus on three critical research areas: the impact of deepfakes and online fraud, information manipulation in the Asia-Pacific region, and the resilience of democracies against disinformation. These research streams aim to provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, both in Indonesia and globally.