Indonesia tells X to take down gambling ads?

Jenny Ortiz March 1, 2024

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Indonesia tells X to take down gambling ads?

The Indonesian government told social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to take down gambling ads posted on the platform.

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology summoned representatives of X on Thursday to discuss the country’s measures against illegal gambling ads.

In a press conference, Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, the Director General of Informatics Applications at the ministry, said the Indonesian government wanted to streamline the process of identifying and removing gambling content.

Pangerapan added that they asked the social media platform to create a system for automatic handling of such tasks.

The ministry also expressed concerns over the gambling ads on X despite previous warnings.

Concerns over-proliferation of gambling ads

Indonesian netizens earlier expressed concerns over the proliferation of online gambling advertisements on X, involving public figures.

8 of 10 Indonesians exposed to online gambling ads

A recent survey by Populix found that 82% or 8 out of 10 Indonesian internet users have been exposed to online gambling content.

The survey also found that out of that figure, 63% see online ads every time they surf the Internet.

Crackdown on illegal online gambling websites continue

Gambling is illegal in Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country in Southeast Asia.

A report from Business Times said that the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology shut down almost a million online gambling sites in the period from the start of 2018 to September of 2023.

Last year, the Indonesian government also clamped down on social media influencers and celebrities who promoted illegal investment platforms that were linked to online gambling.

SiGMA Africa – only two weeks away!

With less than a month until the highly anticipated SiGMA Africa event kicks off in Cape Town, South Africa on the 11th of March, the gaming industry is abuzz with excitement. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2023, SiGMA Africa is strategically positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s burgeoning gaming landscape. With the continent’s market poised for exponential growth, driven by a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem and increasing mobile connectivity, SiGMA Group recognizes the need to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry. By bringing together leading stakeholders and visionaries in gaming, SiGMA aims to catalyse progress and propel Africa toward a new era of prosperity and opportunity. As the countdown to the event begins, anticipation mounts for what promises to be a landmark gathering of gaming enthusiasts and innovators in the vibrant city of Cape Town.? ?