Indonesia Mulls Ban on Telegram Over Content Moderation Concerns

A country considered to have one of the largest Telegram user bases in the world is considering banning the messaging platform over concerns of inadequate moderation of illegal content.

Budi Arie Setiadi, Indonesia’s minister of communications and informatics, has reportedly said the government may block Telegram for its alleged role in facilitating online gambling and the spread of pornography.

The potential ban comes after Telegram, along with Bigo Live, a live-streaming app owned by Singapore-based Bigo Technology, failed to improve content moderation despite repeated requests from the Indonesian government.

Budi expressed his personal preference for the closure of the two platforms, but stressed the need for thorough research before making such a decision.

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The minister warned that if more evidence of illegal content distribution is found, the platforms will likely be banned.

Indonesia is the third largest country in terms of Telegram usage, with over 27 million downloads of the app. A ban could have a significant impact on Telegram’s user base, which as of July 2024 has over 950 million active monthly users globally, with India and Russia being the top two countries by number of users.

Alexander Stefanov

With over 8 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, Alexander is a seasoned content creator and market analyst dedicated to making digital assets more accessible and understandable. He specializes in breaking down complex crypto trends, analyzing market movements, and producing insightful content aimed at educating both newcomers and seasoned investors. Alexander has built a reputation for delivering timely and accurate analysis, while keeping a close eye on regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic trends that shape the future of digital finance. His work is rooted in a passion for innovation and a firm belief that widespread education is key to accelerating global crypto adoption.