Thailand Launches AI-Powered Platform WebD to Combat Illegal Websites

• Thailand’s Digital Economy Ministry launches ‘WebD’ to fight illegal websites.
• WebD platform uses AI to speed up illegal URL processing by 31.5 times.
• Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong emphasizes the need for better online safety.
• WebD is set to increase blocked URLs by 70.7% by 2025.
• Key features include AI Crawlers and automatic court submissions.

Thailand’s Digital Economy Ministry Unveils WebD Platform

Thailand is stepping up its battle against illegal websites with the launch of an innovative platform called “WebD”. This is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society aimed at safeguarding its citizens from the grip of online criminal activities. By harnessing the power of AI, the platform promises to dramatically cut down the time required to shut down these illegal sites—by an extraordinary 31.5 times, to be precise. The technical wizardry behind WebD is seen as a game-changer in the realm of digital governance, an opportunity to streamline processes that have historically been bogged down by slow, manual operations.

How AI is Streamlining the Process of URL Blocking

Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong emphasized during the announcement that this platform is a vital component of the government’s strategy to combat the proliferation of illegal online content. The WebD platform can conservatively process over 100,000 illegal URLs each year, utilizing advanced AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). This significantly reduces the reliance on paper and expedites legal procedures—as submissions to courts will now happen within five working days instead of the usual timeline. Looking ahead to 2025, WebD is ambitious, aiming to block an impressive 70.7% more URLs than in the previous year, highlighting its pivotal role in protecting Thai citizens.

Additional Initiatives Strengthening Online Security in Thailand

The platform packs quite a punch, featuring an AI Crawler equivalent to the manpower of 94 individuals tasked with scanning and identifying illegal websites. Another standout is the automatic court submission capability, which effectively generates and sends legal requests to block these sites through an online system. Then there’s real-time monitoring, ensuring that previously identified illegal URLs remain blocked, which is crucial given the escalating threat posed by online crime. Positive feedback about WebD’s speed and efficiency illustrates a critical step in addressing the challenges of digital law enforcement. The Ministry is not just stopping at WebD, though; other initiatives like the DE-fence platform are currently in testing to combat fraudulent calls, while the Fake News Centre works diligently to counter misinformation and monitor media related to ongoing conflicts.

In summary, Thailand’s new AI-driven ‘WebD’ platform marks a significant advancement in combatting illegal websites, promising faster and more efficient procedures to block harmful content. With ambitious goals for the future and other ongoing initiatives, the Digital Economy Ministry is taking crucial steps toward enhancing the online safety of its citizens. As the threats of cybercrime continue to grow, such platforms represent hope in the increasingly complex digital landscape.