Winning Elections by Computer (01:47)

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Across Southeast Asia, bots attack political elections. Computer programs that are capable of automating likes, retweets, and posting are attacking campaigns. Buzzers are anonymous individuals who control multiple social media accounts.

Malaysia's General Election (07:04)

On April 9, 2018 Parliament announces voting day will be a month later on a weekday. Bots created to support the Barisan Nasional political alliance hijack Joe Lee's #PulangMengundi movement. Mahathir Mohamad leads the Pakatan Harapan party.

#PulangMengundi Hijacked (04:14)

Lee realizes his grassroots movement became a target because it was gaining traction. Bots are programmed to max out the 2,400 tweets a day. The United Malays National Organization is a key component party of Barisan Nasional.

History of Using Cyber Armies (01:58)

Syarul Ema leads a group of 80 pro-Barisan Nasional online activists to win the 2013 election. Each person manages 10 accounts that criticize the Pakatan Rakyat political party on issues about race, religion, and monarchies.

#1mdb Scandal (05:43)

Najib Razak is accused of channeling $700 million into his personal bank accounts from 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Pro-Barisan Nasional activists create bots to establish an artificial narrative. Lee enlists other activists report bots using #Pulangmengundi; Pakatan Harapan wins the election.

#SR23 Scandal (08:14)

For over a year, law enforcement tracks the Instagram account that criticizes several government leaders. Immanuel Pl Tobing is concerned because it spreads hate speech and racism. Jundi wants to become a professional buzzer after posting about Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama's racist policies.

Indonesia Political Election Manipulation (04:30)

Prabowo Subianto announces he will run against Joko Widodo. A Twitter account by the name of "Hulk" says he has a videotape of Grace Natalie with Pak Ahok.

2019 Presidential Election (03:42)

Subianto and Widodo debate on television to gain favor. Dwi Badarmanto confesses that the campaign used professional buzzers to educate the people; Vasco Ruseimy denies recruiting anyone. The Ministry of Communications and Information launches #CyberDrone9 project in January 2018.

#CyberDrone9 (07:08)

The War Room constantly monitors Indonesia's internet to investigate hoaxes and professional buzzers. It is hard to detect criminals; platforms in the United States need to assist targeted countries. Natalie challenges "Hulk" to release the video.

Credits: Cyber Armies: How Social Media Wins Elections (00:30)

Credits: Cyber Armies: How Social Media Wins Elections