Indonesia's Komdigi ministry removes 1.3m online gambling, harmful content

March 11, 2025

Indonesia's Komdigi ministry removes 1.3m online gambling, harmful content

The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has taken down 1,352,401 pieces of digital content linked to gambling and pornography between 20 October 2024, and 8 March 2025.

Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Supervision, credited the Indonesian public for this achievement and their active role in reporting such content through the aduankonten.id portal.

“Each report we receive has enabled us to act more swiftly and effectively in cracking down on negative content,” he stated in the ministry’s release on Monday.

***1,118,849 contents related to online gambling, sites and IP addresses were the main source with 1,017,274 cases (Source: Komdigi)***

Sabar detailed that 233,552 pieces of pornographic content were removed, with 219,578 found on websites and 10,173 on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Additionally, 1,118,849 gambling-related items were blocked, including 1,017,274 from websites and IP addresses and 46,207 from Facebook and Instagram.

“These figures indicate that websites and social media platforms remain the main sources of negative digital content that we are working to handle,” he said.

“This trend shows that challenges remain, and community involvement is increasingly important in helping us address harmful content more quickly.”

To enhance monitoring, Sabar emphasised the ministry’s plan to integrate artificial intelligence into its surveillance system. “We will continue cooperating with various parties, including technology platforms, to enhance our ability to quickly respond to public reports and ensure a safer digital space,” he added.

He encouraged citizens to keep reporting negative content via aduankonten.id, where submissions require links or screenshots for verification by ministry officials.

Last month, President Prabowo Subianto announced stricter regulations to combat online gambling, reinforcing the government’s commitment to intensifying efforts against illegal gambling activities.

From 2017 to 21 January 21, 2025, the ministry has taken action against 5,707,952 pieces of digital content related to online gambling. Between January 1 and 6 January, 2025, the ministry acted against 43,063 such items, according to Molly Prabawaty, acting General Director of Public Communication and Media at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology (Komdigi).

Gambling is illegal for both citizens and foreigners in Indonesia. The government has also implemented an artificial intelligence monitoring system to detect and block gambling websites and applications.

In December 2024, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs collaborated with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) and mobile operators to discuss further actions against illegal online gambling. These included launching a public awareness campaign to highlight the financial risks of gambling and exploring measures to prevent payments for gambling through phone credits.