Indonesia's Communications Minister has issued a warning to social media platform X regarding the sharing of adult content, in line with the country's regulations against obscene material. Failure to comply could lead to the platform's shutdown under Indonesia's electronic information and transaction (ITE) law, which penalizes the dissemination of pornographic content with a potential six-year jail sentence.
Minister Budi Arie Setiadi stated that they had sent a warning letter to X, owned by Elon Musk, but have not received a response yet. The government plans to send more letters before considering a closure. X, formerly Twitter, has not commented on the matter.
Indonesia, with a large Muslim population, enforces strict rules against sharing content considered inappropriate online. X has a significant user base in the country, with approximately 24.85 million users, according to Statista.
Additionally, Minister Budi Arie Setiadi emphasized the importance of compliance with Indonesia's regulations, especially regarding content that could be deemed offensive or inappropriate. The government's stance reflects its commitment to upholding societal values and protecting its citizens, particularly in the digital space where social media platforms play a significant role.
Indonesia's approach underscores the broader global debate on online content moderation and the responsibilities of tech companies to adhere to local laws and cultural sensitivities. The potential shutdown of X serves as a reminder of the challenges platforms face in navigating diverse regulatory environments while balancing freedom of expression and societal norms.