As Indonesia celebrates 80 years of independence, the social media becomes increasing influential in shaping the nation’s democratic landscape. Social media transcended the limitations of traditional print media, offering citizens an expansive and dynamic platform to express their opinions. At the same time, this empowers citizens to act as watchdog to the government and law enforcement officials. As with the press, social media has been instrumental in uncovering power abuses and other government officials’ misconducts. On the other hand, government officials frequently invoke libel, slander, defamation, or even hate speech laws to suppress dissent, revealing a troubling misuse of the criminal justice system to stifle free expression. This paper examines social media’s role in fostering accountability while exploring how legal mechanisms are employed to control speech. This reflection calls for a balanced approach that safeguards freedom of expression while addressing misuse, ensuring that social media continues to support democratic ideals.