Indonesia Bans Privacy-Focused Browser amid Gambling Concerns

Indonesia has reportedly banned the privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo over concerns that it could be used to access pornography and betting websites, both of which are illegal in the country. The move, announced by the communications ministry on Friday, is the latest step in the Southeast Asian nation’s push to police internet content and protect its citizens from what it deems harmful content.

Other Platforms Also Faced Bans

Privately owned and based in Pennsylvania, DuckDuckGo is yet to respond to the ban. The search engine, praised by user rights advocates for its commitment to user privacy, prides itself on prioritizing the customer experience and offering unfiltered search results. However, these advantages could make it easier for users to find illicit content, a significant concern for the Indonesian government.

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DuckDuckGo website

Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, has strict rules against the sharing of obscene content online. It has already blocked access to several platforms, including the social media platform Reddit and the video-hosting service Vimeo. The country’s communications ministry revealed that DuckDuckGo had been targeted due to complaints regarding pornography and gambling content among its search results.

In recent months, Indonesia has intensified its crackdown on online gambling, banning several related websites. Figures released by the government showed that some 3 million Indonesians gambled online last year and spent an estimated $20 billion — about 1.5% of the country’s gross domestic product — on black market operators.

Illegal Gambling Remains a Pressing Issue

To tackle the growing issue of illegal online gambling, Indonesia has assembled a multi-agency task force aimed at responding to the influx of illicit gambling activities targeting locals. This task force seeks to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies, like Europol, to bring responsible parties to justice.

Identifying and prosecuting foreign operators who target Indonesian citizens and evade local laws remains a significant challenge for Indonesia. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) reiterated its commitment to bringing violating operators to justice. It is actively pursuing enforcement actions against identified offenders, hoping to stem the influence of illegal online gambling and protect Indonesians.

Indonesia’s firm stance on regulating internet content reflects its ongoing efforts to maintain cultural and legal standards in the digital age. However, banning popular social media platforms and search engines could have the opposite effect, driving users to seek out dangerous alternatives that carry additional risks.