Telegram has reportedly failed to address Indonesia’s numerous requests for moderation enhancements and resolutions regarding the distribution of illicit content.
Indonesia, which is one of the largest consumers of Telegram globally, is reportedly contemplating a prohibition on the messaging platform as a result of its inadequate moderation of unlawful content, according to local reports.
According to the minister, Indonesia is apprehensive about the diffusion of illicit content on Telegram, which includes the purported promotion of online wagering and the dissemination of pornography.
Local authorities are also contemplating the possibility of banning Bigo Live, a global live-streaming app owned by Singapore-based Bigo Technology, as well as the Telegram communicator, in response to comparable allegations.
According to Budi, Telegram and Bigo have both pledged to enhance content moderation in response to the Indonesian government’s requests. Nevertheless, the organizations have neglected to establish improved moderation protocols and announce a resolution.
The minister also stated that he would personally prefer to “close 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 make decisions based on the evidence that our team has gathered. We will disable the platforms if we discover evidence of wagering promotion or pornography.”
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 globe in terms of Telegram utilization, 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 currently under judicial supervision in France as a result of a court appearance that is believed to be related to his alleged illicit activities in connection with his role at the company.
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