KRTHA BHAYANGKARA
Vol. 20 No. 2 (2026): KRTHA BHAYANGKARA: AUGUST 2026

Criminal Liability For Algorithmic Manipulation in The Dissemination of Information in The Digital Era

Hartomi (Universitas Pertiba)
Muhamad Adystia Sunggara (Universitas Pertiba)
Wijayono Hadi Sukrisno (Universitas Pertiba)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Aug 2026

Abstract

The development of digital technology has encouraged the emergence of algorithmic manipulation as a new form of cybercrime that has a significant impact on the integrity of digital public spaces. Practices such as bot army, astroturfing, and algorithmic amplification show that algorithms are no longer just tools, but play an active role in expanding the impact of an action. The main problem of this study is related to the unclear construction of the subject of criminal law and the limits of liability in the context of criminal acts mediated by algorithmic systems. This study aims to analyze the construction of subject and criminal law accountability to algorithmic manipulation according to Indonesian positive law and formulate a more adaptive criminal liability model. The method used is normative legal research with legislative, conceptual, and comparative legal approaches. The results of the study show that the Criminal Code and the ITE Law have not been able to accommodate the complexity of the agency chain in the algorithmic system, thus creating an accountability gap. To address this, the study proposes a "risk-based layered liability" model that integrates fault, risk, and liability based liability. This model allows for a proportionate distribution of responsibilities between developers, platform operators, and users. The implementation of this model requires a reformulation of norms in the ITE Law, strengthening the capacity of law enforcement officials, and establishing a structured algorithmic supervision mechanism.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

KRTHA

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

The Krtha Bhayangkara Journal is published by the Law Study Program at the Law Faculty of Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya University. This scientific journal presents scientific articles that are the result of research, analysis of court decisions, theoretical studies, literature studies or conceptual ...