KPK discovers auto-delete message feature on suspect's phone

The Corruption Eradasting Commission (KPK) has discovered the use of an auto-delete message feature (timer) in conversations between suspect Setya Budi Dias and his father while analysing mobile phones seized during the investigation into alleged extortion within the Pemalang Regency Government.

Speaking at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday, the Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, stated that the feature causes messages in a conversation to be automatically deleted after a specific period.

“From the conversations between DIS, acting as the son, and LBS, the team found and analysed on his phone that the ‘timer’ feature was consistently used,” he said.

Taufik noted that investigators view the use of such a feature in communications between a child and a parent as highly unusual, a conclusion based on the analysis of the seized electronic evidence. He added that the suspect’s conversations with other parties did not utilise similar features.

Previously, on 28 July 2026, the KPK conducted its 18th sting operation (OTT) of the year. Among the 21 individuals arrested during the operation was the Regent of Pemalang, Anom Widiyantoro.

On 30 July 2026, the KPK announced the results of the operation, revealing two distinct case clusters. The first involves allegations of extortion by Anom Widiyantoro against officials within the Pemalang Regency Government and private parties, involving suspects Anom Widiyantoro and his associate, Mohamad Haris, also known as Gus Haris. The second cluster involves allegations of extortion by a police officer and his father against Anom Widiyantoro, involving suspects Setya Budi Dias, an active KPK police officer, and his father, Lilik Budi Suprianto.