Cyber-Shakedowns

USING anonymous accountsconcealing their identities to cover their crimesthey take advantage when information comes like a flood, inundating social media sites. Using the microblogging site Twitter, they spread controversial stories to attract attention. Although these stories are often a mix of fact and fantasy, some followers actually believe them.

Twitter, which only allows postings of up to 140 characters, has significant power. Besides being a social network, it can be used for social movementsfor example when it was used to mobilize people to defend the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) when it fought the police in 2012. Information on Twitter is often referred to by the 'conventional' media.