Propagation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material as a cybercrime commodity in Indonesia

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cryptocurrency are increasingly exploited to facilitate cyber child sexual abuse material (CSAM), creating an illicit ecosystem of “pseudo-pornography”. Defined as entirely synthetic, AI-manipulated visual representations, pseudo-pornography exploits a person’s digital identity to depict sexual acts without physical involvement. These manipulated identities are then traded anonymously. Utilizing a juridical-normative approach, this study analyzes the governing legal frameworks. Findings reveal a critical legal vacuum in Indonesia; current laws (Pornography, ITE, TPKS, and Criminal Code) remain oriented toward physical distribution. They lack specific provisions to address non-physical, AI-generated offenses and cryptocurrency-facilitated anonymity, while crypto regulatory dualism further hinders enforcement. To combat this, the government must urgently revise the Pornography and ITE Laws to explicitly prosecute pseudo-pornography creators, mandate platform accountability, and enact specific AI legislation. These measures are vital to closing legal loopholes and protecting Indonesia’s digital space.