Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics has blocked Elon Musk’s social media site, X.com, under the country’s restrictions on online pornography and gambling. The site was restricted because its domain had previously been associated with content that violated Indonesia’s laws against negative material, such as pornography and gambling.
The government has been in contact with X to clarify the nature of the site, and Twitter, the owner of X.com, is expected to send a letter confirming its usage. This block prevents around 24 million Indonesian users from accessing the platform.
The issue arose after Elon Musk announced a rebranding of Twitter, renaming it as X and changing the logo. He envisions the rebranded platform as an “everything app” that offers services beyond social networking, including payments and banking.
Indonesia has a history of blocking or threatening to block popular websites, and this action is consistent with its approach to restricting content deemed offensive, criminal, or dangerous to social harmony. The blocking of X.com raises concerns among internet users in the country, as online censorship does not always succeed in its aims, with users finding ways to circumvent the restrictions.
The Ministry’s decision showcases the continuous efforts in effectively managing online content in a country with the world’s largest Muslim population.
