Indonesia has blocked the social media site X.com, formerly known as Twitter, due to its previous association with sites that violated the country’s strict rules against “negative” content, such as pornography and gambling. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics stated that it had been in contact with X to clarify the nature of the site. Usman Kansong, the director general of information and public communication at the ministry, revealed that representatives from Twitter assured them that X.com would be used by Twitter. However, the site’s restriction means that Indonesians currently cannot access it, despite its reported 24 million users in the country.
The blocking of X.com comes in the wake of Elon Musk’s announcement that Twitter would be rebranding and dropping its name and bird logo in favor of a white X on a black background. Musk aims to transform the platform into an “everything app” that offers services beyond social networking, such as payments and banking. This rebranding generated mixed responses among users.
Indonesia has a history of blocking or threatening to block popular websites. In 2022, authorities threatened to block Netflix, Google, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter if they did not provide detailed information about the content on their platforms. These sites managed to avoid the ban by registering before the deadline. Netflix was previously blocked in Indonesia for several years due to concerns about inappropriate content, including pornography.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics typically blocks websites that are considered offensive, criminal, or a threat to social harmony. This includes sites with pornographic materials, those violating intellectual property laws, or those containing hate speech or false information. Gatria Priyandita, a cyber policy analyst, believes that Twitter can easily get X.com removed from the list of banned sites by demonstrating that the domain name truly directs to Twitter.
Aribowo Sasmito, the co-founder of MAFINDO, a fact-checking group, suggests that X.com may have been blocked due to negative connotations associated with its name. He points out that the name is closely related to “XXX,” suggesting a dubious association. Sasmito acknowledges the dilemma faced by internet users in Indonesia, where some prioritize freedom while others consider censorship in line with religious aspects due to the country’s large Muslim population.
However, Sasmito also notes the challenges of online censorship, as site owners can easily change domain addresses or names to bypass restrictions. Despite the block on X.com, users can find alternative ways to access the site. Al Jazeera contacted X for comment but only received an automated reply. Previously, press inquiries sent to Twitter’s email address received an automated response in the form of a poop emoji.
Overall, Indonesia’s restrictions on online content continue to present challenges for internet users and raise questions about freedom of expression and cultural sensitivities in the digital age.