Indonesia, one of Telegram’s top users, may soon ban the messaging app over concerns about its failure to control illegal content. The country’s Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, told the Jakarta Globe on Aug. 29 that officials are weighing the decision to block the platform.
The minister expressed concerns about the spread of illegal content on Telegram, including claims that the platform is being used to promote online gambling and distribute pornography. In response, local authorities are also thinking about banning Bigo Live, a popular live-streaming app from Singapore-based Bigo Technology, due to similar accusations.
Claims Telegram ignored moderation requests
Budi reportedly said that Telegram and Bigo had promised to step up their content moderation after the Indonesian government asked them to. But, according to him, neither company has actually made any improvements or taken any action to address the issue.
The minister mentioned that he personally wants to ban Telegram and Bigo Live but insists that thorough research must come first. He said that they take action based on what their team uncovers. If they find proof of pornography or gambling promotion, they will move forward with blocking the platforms.
Telegram’s fourth-largest Indonesian user base faces decline
If Indonesia decided to ban Telegram, the messaging app would lose a significant number of its users. According to Demandsage, Indonesia ranks as the fourth-largest country for Telegram use, with over 27 million downloads coming from there.
Moreover, as of July. 2024, Telegram boasts over 950 million monthly active users. India leads with more than 100 million users, while Russia comes in second with 34 million. The news arrives as Pavel Durov faces judicial supervision in France. Specifically, this follows a court appearance tied to his alleged criminal activities connected to his role at Telegram.
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