Indonesian Government Blocks Archive Platform | OBROLANBISNIS.com — The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) emphasized that the temporary blocking of the Internet Archive platform (Archive.org) is a measured step to protect the public and is based on legal procedures.
The decision was taken after a number of contents were found that violated the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), especially content containing online gambling (judol) and pornography.
“This step is not just a blocking. It was also not taken rashly. We have tried to communicate with the Internet Archive via official letters several times, but have not received an adequate response. So quick steps must be taken to keep the digital space healthy and safe for the public,” said the Director General of Digital Space Supervision of Kemkomdigi, Alexander Sabar in his written statement, Friday (30/5/2025).
When the platform ignores the regulator’s communication, he continued, while at the same time serious violations are found, then blocking is the last step that needs to be taken.
Blocking is not a sudden policy. Alexander said that Kemkomdigi acted through an official communication process, including periodic notifications, content analysis, and internal coordination.
“We never suddenly press the block button. There is a long process that we go through, including giving the platform time to respond and follow up on our findings,” he said.
As a global platform with millions of users, the Internet Archive has a responsibility to comply with the laws in the countries where its services are available.
“We recognize the value of the Internet Archive as a world digital archive. But that value cannot be used as a shield to allow dangerous and unlawful content to remain available in Indonesia,” said Alexander.
The discovery of pornographic and online gambling content on the platform is a major concern. Both types of content, according to the ITE Law and national digital regulations, are considered serious violations. Kemkomdigi is also committed to protecting the digital space from exposure to content that is harmful to society, especially the younger generation.
“Our digital space must not be a fertile ground for damaging content. We at Kemkomdigi have a mandate to regulate that, and every step we take is for the sake of public protection,” said Alexander.
He said that from the start his party had not closed the door to dialogue. However, when there is no communication back, the state must take firm action. “We prefer communication and correction, not sanctions. But if that is not possible, then protecting the community must be a priority,” he added.
In addition to dangerous content, Kemkomdigi also found a number of contents on the Internet Archive that have the potential to violate copyright. As a digital storage platform, the Internet Archive archives millions of books, films, music, and software, some of which are still protected by intellectual property laws.
“Indonesia has a Copyright Law. We are also responsible for protecting the national creative industry from digital piracy. Therefore, content whose license status is unclear needs to be evaluated together,” said Alexander.
Protection of domestic creative actors must be a shared concern. “If there are books or films by the nation’s children archived without permission, of course it will harm our creators. The state cannot remain silent,” he said.
Alexander also emphasized that this blocking is temporary, not permanent. After his party ensures that the violating content has been cleaned up and the platform’s moderation system is strengthened, access to the Internet Archive will be reopened.
The blocking step as a form of escalation aims to build communication that previously did not work. According to Alexander, experience shows that some new platforms respond seriously after the government takes firm action.
“This has become a common practice in digital diplomacy. When communication is not working, concrete actions can be the driving force of solutions. We have done that with other major platforms such as YouTube, Google, and TikTok,” he said.
Restrictions on global digital platforms are not new in international practice. Several countries such as China, Russia, India, and Turkey have or are blocking some or all access to the Internet Archive for similar reasons.
“China has blocked it since 2012, Russia blocked it for two years, India blocked some access because of sensitive content, Turkey also restricted it. So this is not unusual in the context of managing digital sovereignty,” said Alexander.
These countries do not hate the Internet Archive, but they demand compliance with domestic regulations. “If platforms can comply in other countries, they must also comply here,” he said. ***
Indonesian Government Blocks Archive Platform
