Indonesia, one of the largest consumers of Telegram globally, is reportedly contemplating a ban on the messaging platform due to its inadequate moderation of illegal content.
The local news agency Jakarta Globe reported on Aug. 29 that Budi Arie Setiadi, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Informatics, claimed that authorities are contemplating blocking Telegram.
According to the minister, Indonesia is apprehensive about the diffusion of illicit content on Telegram, which includes the purported promotion of online gambling and the dissemination of pornography.
Local authorities are also contemplating banning Bigo Live, a global live-streaming app owned by Singapore-based Bigo Technology and the Telegram communicator, in response to comparable allegations.
Telegram Unable to Enhance Moderation
According to Budi, Telegram and Bigo have pledged to enhance content moderation in response to the Indonesian government’s requests. Nevertheless, organizations must establish improved moderation protocols and announce a resolution.
The minister also stated that he would prefer to “shut down” Telegram and Bigo Live; however, he emphasized that it is imperative to conduct thorough research before implementing any restrictions.
He cautioned that in the event of additional evidence of illicit content distribution on the platforms, their suspensions in the country would inevitably occur.
“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.”
Telegram would experience a substantial decline in its user base if Indonesia were to prohibit its use.
Indonesia is the third-largest nation in the world in terms of Telegram usage, with over 27 million app downloads from the country, according to Demandsage data.
As of July 2024, Telegram had over 950 million monthly active users, with India accounting for over 100 million users and Russia ranking second with 34 million users.
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, is under judicial supervision in France due to a court appearance that is believed to be related to his alleged illicit activities in connection with his role at the company.
