UI Expert Highlights Patriarchy and Power Imbalance in Untan Student Deepfake Case
The alleged use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or deepfake technology by a student from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Tanjungpura University (Untan), West Kalimantan, identified by the initials RY, has sparked profound discussions regarding women’s safety in digital spaces.
Rissalwan Habdy Lubis, a social expert from the University of Indonesia (UI), assesses this phenomenon as a manifestation of strong patriarchal culture and unequal power relations in Indonesia. According to him, technology has merely become a new tool for long-standing patterns of discrimination against women.
“Women are perceived to face more humiliating situations compared to men. Therefore, even with deepfakes, the impact can be extremely terrifying and painful for women,” Rissalwan told Media Indonesia on Monday (18/5).
Rissalwan emphasised that RY’s actions—editing photos of peers into vulgar content—are not merely digital mischief but a reflection of unbalanced power dynamics. Within a patriarchal culture, women’s bodies are frequently used as objects of control and exploitation.
“What we need to observe is how technologies like deepfakes make women in a patriarchal culture relatively more disadvantaged because they are more easily exploited,” he explained.
He also highlighted the psychological aspects of the perpetrator, who is alleged to possess unhealthy fantasies. Instead of building normal interpersonal relationships, the perpetrator instead vents these through technological manipulation that harms others.
Weak technological oversight in Indonesia is considered a loophole for cybercriminals. Rissalwan urged the Ministry of Communication and Digital to take concrete steps in protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women, from the threats of uncontrolled AI technology.
“Technology is uncontrolled. I believe the most authoritative body to respond to this is the Ministry of Communication and Digital, especially regarding the protection of vulnerable citizens,” he asserted.
While advocating for law enforcement, Rissalwan appreciated efforts if the government begins to prioritise the ethics of technology use and victim protection. He emphasised that the recovery of victims’ trauma must be the primary priority, above merely punishing the perpetrator.
“Focusing on the victim is important. In incidents like this, we must prioritise the victim, rather than just imposing the heaviest possible punishment on the perpetrator,” he concluded.
A firm stance is essential not only to punish the perpetrator but also to provide a sense of security to other students, ensuring that the university remains a protective environment.