SAFEnet Reports Increasing Restrictions on Digital Expression

Executive Director of Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) Nenden Sekar Arum said the trend of restrictions on digital expression is increasing. She noted that cases of intimidation and attacks against critical groups have risen year on year. ‘Cases of restrictions on expression are indeed increasing over time,’ Nenden said on 25 May 2026. According to SAFEnet’s records, digital security attacks against critical groups have escalated in both number and form. Pressure on victims now extends beyond digital spaces to psychological intimidation and physical violence. Most attacks relate to criticism of government policies and state apparatus. In 2025, SAFEnet recorded 907 digital security attack cases, a 2.75-fold increase from 330 cases in 2024. The surge in cases has been evident since the start of the year and continued throughout the reporting period. In political terms, digital attacks no longer target only human rights activists, civil society organisations, or journalists, but also ordinary citizens, academics, creative workers, and civil servants. Criticism of government policies is increasingly viewed as a threat to stability. Consequently, posts reflecting public concern often become targets, even affecting victims’ families. August 2024 recorded the highest number of digital security incidents, particularly during the #PeringatanDarurat protests, with 40 cases, far exceeding the 2024 monthly average of 27.5. July 2024 had the lowest number of incidents at 11.