In an unexpected turn of events on Saturday, February 1, 2025, Google Finance displayed the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) trading at IDR 8,170.65 per US Dollar, a figure that is approximately half of the actual exchange rate. This anomaly led to widespread confusion among users and prompted a swift response from Bank Indonesia (BI).
Ramdan Denny Prakoso, Head of BI’s Communication Department, addressed the situation, stating, “The level of the US dollar exchange rate to Rp8,100 as on Google is not the level that should be.” He clarified that the official exchange rate remains around IDR 16,300 per US Dollar. BI is currently coordinating with Google Indonesia to rectify the mismatch.
Financial analyst Ariston Tjendra from Monex Investindo offered insight into the possible cause of the error. He suggested that Google might have miscalculated by dividing the actual exchange rate by two, leading to the incorrect display. Tjendra also confirmed that other financial platforms, such as Bloomberg and Reuters, continued to show the correct exchange rates, hovering between IDR 16,200 and IDR 16,300 per US Dollar.
This incident is not isolated. In December 2024, Google faced scrutiny over displaying incorrect US Dollar exchange rates, which led to public confusion and official inquiries. These recurring issues highlight the challenges and responsibilities tech giants face in providing accurate financial data.
Google Finance has previously acknowledged potential discrepancies in their data, advising users to verify exchange rates through official channels before making financial decisions. The platform’s disclaimer states that Google cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed and recommends confirming current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
As of now, Google has not released an official statement regarding the recent IDR/USD exchange rate display error. Users are advised to consult official sources or trusted financial platforms for accurate and up-to-date exchange rate information.
This incident underscores the importance of cross-verifying financial data, especially when sourced from automated platforms, to ensure accuracy in economic activities.