Indonesia issues 'stern warning' to Meta over disinformation and online gambling

Summary

Indonesia’s communications ministry has issued a stern warning to Meta after finding low compliance with government takedown requests targeting disinformation and online gambling content. The move highlights growing regulatory pressure on major tech platforms in Southeast Asia.

JAKARTA, March 5, 2026 — Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs has issued a “stern warning” to Meta Platforms after concluding the company has not done enough to curb online gambling and disinformation content.

The warning followed an unscheduled visit on Wednesday by Communications Minister Meutya Hafid to Meta’s Jakarta office.

Officials said Meta demonstrated a low level of compliance with national regulations governing illegal online content.

Compliance concerns

According to ministry data, Meta acted on about 28.47% of content flagged by authorities for disinformation or illegal gambling.

The figure highlights gaps in platform enforcement efforts and has prompted calls for stronger moderation systems and faster responses.

“Disinformation, defamation and hate content threaten lives in Indonesia,” Hafid said in a statement.

Rising regulatory pressure

The warning reflects broader tensions between Southeast Asian regulators and global tech firms over content oversight.

Indonesia has previously summoned major platforms to strengthen moderation ahead of key political periods and rising digital activity.

Officials said Meta is expected to significantly improve enforcement, warning it could face further regulatory action if compliance does not improve.

Why This Matters

• Public safety: Authorities view harmful online content as a major social risk.
• Regulatory signal: Indonesia is stepping up enforcement against global tech firms.
• Regional trend: Other Southeast Asian governments are watching closely.
• Platform accountability: Compliance expectations are rising worldwide.

FAQs

Q1. Why did Indonesia warn Meta?

Authorities said Meta failed to adequately remove illegal and harmful content.

Q2. What types of content are involved?

Disinformation, online gambling, defamation and hate speech.

Q3. How strong was Meta’s compliance?

About 28.47% of flagged content was addressed, according to officials.

Q4. What happens next?

Authorities expect improvements and may consider further regulatory steps if progress is limited.