Heaptalk, Jakarta — In a press release in Jakarta on Tuesday (06/18), the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) announced that it would shut down Twitter as the platform allowed its users to upload pornographic videos.
“This means they prioritize unlimited freedom of speech over the desire to tap into the Indonesian market, which is also fine. Therefore, we can take firm action by shutting down Twitter,” stated Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, Director General of Informatics Applications at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics.
The Ministry will next summon the owners of Twitter. He stated, “If they do not appear after two summons, we will immediately block access to Twitter in Indonesia.” The Ministry does not have an issue with this principle if applied outside of Indonesia. However, Semuel emphasized that there must be restrictions for users in Indonesia to prevent access to pornographic content.
“The internet is connected to all networks worldwide, and each country has its own jurisdiction and rules that they must comply with local regulations,” he added.
In addition to pornographic content, Semuel also urged all messaging and social media platforms not to promote online gambling activities. Parties promoting online gambling will be given three warning letters before their access is cut off. He stated, “If they are blocked for the third time, the intervals will be one week apart.”
Regarding the proliferation of foreign e-commerce marketing products in Indonesia, Samuel asserted that his office would terminate access to e-commerce and marketplace service providers that are not registered as Electronic System Providers. “I will check directly, are they registered? If they are not registered, we will definitely block them,” he concluded.
