INDONESIAUPDATES.COM, News En – A technical glitch on Google’s currency converter sparked widespread confusion on Saturday when it displayed an inaccurate rupiah exchange rate of Rp 8,170 per US dollar, significantly lower than the official exchange rates. The error was quickly noticed by users across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, raising doubts about the platform’s reliability for financial data.
Bank Indonesia (BI) recorded the rupiah’s actual selling rate at Rp 16,340.30 per dollar and its buying rate at Rp 16,177.70 as of January 31. Financial data provider Bloomberg reported that the rupiah had depreciated 0.3 percent, closing at Rp 16,304 per dollar on the same day.
The Google error, which suggested a more than 50 percent appreciation of the rupiah, also affected other currencies. The euro, for example, was listed at Rp 8,348 on Google’s platform, while banks listed it at Rp 16,889.
William Hartanto, founder of WH Project, weighed in on the issue, attributing the incorrect data to a technical error in Google’s system. “This is clearly a technical error. The actual exchange rate data from other reliable sources remains consistent,” Hartanto explained, pointing to similar issues with US stock data reported on Google’s platform in the past.
In response, Bank Indonesia clarified that the exchange rate displayed on Google was incorrect and urged the tech giant to resolve the issue quickly. “We are coordinating with Google Indonesia to address this discrepancy and ensure corrections are made as soon as possible,” said Ramdan Denny Prakoso, BI’s Communication Department Head.
The glitch comes at a time of growing market concerns about the US dollar’s strength, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions involving BRICS nations. Despite Indonesia’s recent inclusion in BRICS, Hartanto argues that market anxieties surrounding US policies will likely prevent a near-term appreciation of the rupiah.
As of Saturday evening, Google had yet to issue an official statement addressing the error.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Google’s Currency Converter Glitch
1. What caused the confusion with the rupiah exchange rate on Google? A technical glitch on Google’s currency converter caused the rupiah exchange rate to display inaccurately as Rp 8,170 per US dollar, which was more than 50% lower than the official exchange rates. This error spread quickly on social media, leading to confusion.
2. What was the official exchange rate for the rupiah on January 31, 2025? On January 31, 2025, Bank Indonesia recorded the rupiah’s selling rate at Rp 16,340.30 per US dollar and the buying rate at Rp 16,177.70. Bloomberg data showed the rupiah depreciating slightly by 0.3%, closing at Rp 16,304 per dollar.
3. How did this error affect other currencies? The glitch also impacted other currencies. For instance, the euro was displayed at Rp 8,348 on Google’s currency converter, while official bank rates listed it at Rp 16,889, causing further confusion.
4. How did experts explain the error? William Hartanto, founder of WH Project, attributed the incorrect exchange rates to a technical error in Google’s system, noting that similar issues have been reported in the past with US stock data on the platform.
5. What has Bank Indonesia done in response to the glitch? Bank Indonesia clarified that the exchange rates displayed by Google were incorrect and urged Google to fix the error. BI also stated that it is working with Google Indonesia to address the issue and ensure the corrections are made promptly.
6. What does the currency glitch mean for the rupiah’s value? While the error caused confusion, it does not reflect the actual value of the rupiah. The actual exchange rates from reliable financial sources remain unchanged, with the rupiah continuing to be traded at much higher levels than what Google’s converter indicated.
7. Why is the exchange rate important for the Indonesian economy? The exchange rate is a crucial indicator of the economy’s strength, influencing inflation, imports, exports, and foreign investment. Misleading or incorrect exchange rates can cause confusion in market decisions.
8. Has Google made a statement about the issue? As of Saturday evening, Google had not yet issued an official statement regarding the error. The company has yet to address the glitch publicly.
9. Is the glitch related to the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving BRICS nations? While the exchange rate glitch occurred amidst concerns over the strength of the US dollar due to geopolitical tensions, the error itself is not directly related to these concerns. However, market uncertainties tied to such tensions may affect the rupiah’s value in the future.
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