Indonesia is reportedly considering a ban on the popular messaging platform Telegram due to concerns over its insufficient moderation of illegal content. The move comes after repeated requests from Indonesian authorities for the platform to address these issues went unheeded.
Budi Arie Setiadi, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Informatics, expressed growing frustration with Telegram’s failure to improve its content moderation practices. Speaking to local media on August 29, Setiadi highlighted the platform’s involvement in promoting online gambling and distributing pornography as major concerns.
According to Setiadi, Indonesia—one of Telegram’s largest user bases globally—has repeatedly urged the platform to take stronger action against illicit content. Despite promises from Telegram to enhance its moderation efforts, the platform has not implemented significant changes, prompting the government to consider more drastic measures.
Possible Ban on Bigo Live
In addition to Telegram, the Indonesian government is also weighing a potential ban on Bigo Live, a global live-streaming app owned by Singapore-based Bigo Technology. Similar to Telegram, Bigo Live has been accused of inadequate content moderation, particularly concerning the spread of illegal content.
Setiadi noted that while his preference would be to “shut down” both platforms, the government would conduct thorough studies before taking any final action. He emphasized that any decision to block the platforms would be based on concrete evidence collected by Indonesian authorities.
“If we find evidence of pornography or gambling promotion, we will proceed with blocking the platforms,” Setiadi warned.
Impact of a Potential Ban
A ban on Telegram in Indonesia would significantly impact the platform’s global user base. According to data from Demandsage, Indonesia ranks as the third-largest country in terms of Telegram usage, with over 27 million app downloads. As of July 2024, Telegram boasted more than 950 million monthly active users worldwide, with India leading the count at over 100 million users, followed by Russia with 34 million users.
Broader Implications for Telegram
This potential ban in Indonesia adds to the growing challenges facing Telegram. Recently, Telegram’s founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, came under judicial supervision in France related to alleged criminal activities linked to his role at the company. The situation raises further questions about Telegram’s financial future and operational stability amid increasing regulatory scrutiny.
For more details on Telegram’s ongoing challenges, see our related story on Telegram’s Financial Future in Doubt as Chief Faces Criminal Inquiry.
