While you might be a skilled programmer in your field, it’s crucial to avoid using your talents for pranks, as they can backfire and lead to severe penalties, including long prison sentences. This was the case in Indonesia, where a programmer’s stunt led to significant legal trouble.

In 2016, Indonesian police arrested a 24-year-old IT analyst for hacking a public billboard in Jakarta and broadcasting a pornographic film during peak hours in the area. The incident caused widespread chaos as passersby and drivers were shocked, nearly leading to several accidents. The film was broadcast for five minutes before authorities intervened and cut the power to the billboard.

Despite the swift response from the authorities, the footage was captured on numerous mobile phones and quickly spread across social media. It is reported that the young man executed this prank after gaining access to the billboard’s login credentials and password.

Once arrested and interrogated, Jakarta Police Chief Muhammad Iriyawan told AFP that the suspect claimed to have acted alone in broadcasting the pornographic film. However, investigations were ongoing to determine if he had any accomplices or specific motives. The suspect could face charges under Indonesia’s Electronic Transactions Law, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a fine of up to one billion rupiah ($77,000), or under the Pornography Law, which could result in up to 12 years in prison.

It’s worth noting that the Indonesian government, with its Muslim majority, has banned access to all pornographic websites, including some social media platforms that allow adult content.