The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has removed approximately 2.8 million pieces of online content over the past year, with the vast majority linked to online gambling, officials announced on Wednesday in Jakarta.
According to the nation’s Ministry’s Director General of Digital Space Monitoring, Alexander Sabar, more than 2.1 million items were tied directly to online gambling platforms and promotions. The ministry said it acted between October 20th, 2024, and September 16th, 2025, as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown.
The breakdown of content removals showed that 1.93 million items were taken down from websites, 97,779 from file-sharing platforms, 94,004 from Meta-owned apps, 35,092 from Google, 17,417 from X (formerly Twitter), 1,742 from Telegram, 1,001 from TikTok, 14 from Line, and three from application stores. Officials described the scale of removals as evidence of the persistent challenges posed by illegal digital activity.
Gambling—both online and offline—is strictly prohibited under Indonesian criminal law. Despite the government’s longstanding ban, online gambling has continued to proliferate, drawing millions of participants. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported that 1.07 million people engaged in online gambling in the first quarter of 2025. Reuters previously estimated that around 3 million Indonesians participated in 2023, with total wagers nearing $20 billion.
Exposure to gambling content also appears widespread. A Populix survey found that 82 percent of internet users had encountered gambling-related material. Academic studies highlight strong participation among youth: nearly 43 percent of university students have tried online gambling, with more than a quarter remaining active users.
The government has been piloting the Content Moderation Compliance System (SAMAN) over the past year, with the trial scheduled to conclude next month. The system is intended to enforce digital platform compliance with local regulations and community guidelines.
Officials stressed that the measures are aimed at safeguarding the public from harmful content rather than restricting freedom of expression. Authorities also encouraged citizens to report illegal content through official ministry channels as part of efforts to maintain a “clean, safe, healthy, and productive” digital environment.
