Indonesia's government is contemplating a ban on Telegram due to ongoing concerns about the platform's inadequate moderation of illicit content.
Indonesia's government is contemplating a ban on Telegram due to ongoing concerns about the platform's inadequate moderation of illicit content.
Budi Arie Setiadi, the Minister of Communication and Informatics, stated that authorities are increasingly concerned about the distribution of illegal materials, including online gambling promotions and pornography, on the messaging service.
According to local reports, Telegram is under scrutiny as one of Indonesia's most widely used communication platforms, with over 27 million downloads, making it the third-largest user base globally.
Setiadi indicated that despite previous commitments from Telegram to enhance content moderation, the company has failed to implement sufficient measures to address the government's concerns.
During a recent interview, Setiadi emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that further evidence of illicit activity could prompt immediate action against the platform. He asserted,
“We act based on evidence collected by our team. If we find evidence of pornography or gambling promotion, we will proceed with blocking the platforms.”
In addition to Telegram, the Indonesian government is also evaluating potential restrictions on Bigo Live, a live-streaming application owned by Singapore-based Bigo Technology, for similar reasons.
The minister expressed a personal preference for a shutdown of both platforms but acknowledged the need for thorough studies before making such decisions.
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