On February 1, 2025, a significant error appeared on Google, showing the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) at an exchange rate of Rp 8,170.65 per US Dollar. This value sharply contrasted with the actual rate, which Bank Indonesia recorded at Rp 16,312 per USD on January 31, 2025. The discrepancy caught the attention of many, as reported by Tempo.co.

Ramdan Denny Prakoso, Head of Bank Indonesia’s Communication Department, confirmed that the rate shown by Google was incorrect. He assured the public that the actual exchange rate was much higher. BI is in talks with Google Indonesia to correct this issue, as shared on Tempo.co.

The sudden surge in the value of the Rupiah raised questions, with many speculating that it might be the work of hackers. Ibrahim Assuaibi, an economist, suggested that the manipulation could be related to political dissatisfaction, as hackers might be reacting to the government's optimistic economic outlook. This theory was mentioned in Tempo.co as well.

Google responded to the error, clarifying that it was caused by incorrect data sourced from a third party. The company acknowledged that the displayed rate was based on outdated information from February 2009. As soon as the mistake was spotted, Google reached out to the data provider to resolve the issue, according to detik.com.

Social media platforms, especially Twitter, quickly became a hub for discussions about the erroneous exchange rate. Many users questioned whether the Rupiah's unexpected surge was a glitch or something more serious, as noted in posts reported by detik.com.

The situation was eventually corrected, with both Bank Indonesia and Google working to ensure the accuracy of the data displayed. This incident highlights the growing importance of having reliable financial information in the digital era, where platforms like Google play a significant role in shaping public understanding.

PHOTO: ANTARA

This article was created with AI assistance.