Indonesia Threatens to Block X If Pornography Still Allowed

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi stressed that the government would restrict access to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) if it persists in allowing pornographic content. Budi said he had sent a letter to the platform regarding the plan.

“I have written [to X about] pornography. Should X persist in allowing such content in Indonesia, we will take measures to shut it down and block access,” Budi Arie said during a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I at the Senayan parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Monday, June 10.

He reassured that the government would adopt a firm stance against such indecent content, underlining that Indonesia could not be controlled by other nations.

Budi Arie made the statement in response to Commission I member Jazuli Juwaini’s query regarding the recent policy of Elon Musk’s X.

Jazuli, the PKS politician, supported the government's endeavors to eliminate pornography and online gambling, which has been rampant in the archipelago. “We have been serious about [tackling] online gambling since last year. I support the formation [of the Online Gambling Task Force]. The minister also has the authority to issue ministerial regulations and decisions as long as it is for the public interest and does not conflict with the law,” he said.

Recently, X updated its guidelines, allowing users to openly share consensually produced and distributed pornographic content, provided that such adult material is appropriately labeled and not prominently displayed, such as in profile photos or banners.

SULTAN ABDURRAHMAN | MOHAMMAD HATTA MUARABAGJA

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