By: Andika Pratama
The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi), has taken decisive action to combat online gambling by blocking access to the site digitaloceanspaces.com. This decision was made after gambling content was found on 123 subdomains of the site. This move is a concrete example of the government’s commitment to enforcing regulations and protecting the public from the negative impacts of online gambling.
The existence of gambling content on digital platforms presents a serious challenge in overseeing cyberspace. The government, through Kemkomdigi, has shown firmness in monitoring digital policies by implementing access cuts to sites that are proven to violate regulations. The blocking of digitaloceanspaces.com occurred after Kemkomdigi’s digital space control team verified a report from a complaint system that found gambling content on the site. This step is in line with Law No. 1 of 2024 and Ministerial Regulation No. 5 of 2020 on Electronic System Implementation.
Alexander Sabar, the Director General of Digital Space Oversight at Kemkomdigi, revealed that an access normalization attempt was made. However, within a short time, new subdomains containing gambling content were found. This indicates that online gambling practices are organized and continuously seek loopholes in the oversight system. Therefore, a more comprehensive approach is required to ensure effective prevention.
This blocking is part of a broader strategy to safeguard digital security and protect the public from the harmful effects of online gambling. Online gambling not only poses financial risks to individuals but can also lead to widespread social consequences, including rising crime rates and economic disruptions for affected families. The firm steps taken by the government deserve praise as an effort to protect public interests and enforce the law.
Cybersecurity expert Rudi Hartanto believes that the actions taken by Kemkomdigi are appropriate and should be reinforced with cross-sector cooperation. Internet service providers and digital platforms play a vital role in supporting the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of illegal content. Furthermore, increasing digital literacy among the public is key to preventing the proliferation of online gambling practices.
One of the main challenges in combating online gambling is its ability to continuously metamorphose into various forms. Blocking subdomains containing gambling content is indeed effective in the short term, but this step must be accompanied by a broader strategy, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for early detection, international cooperation, and stricter law enforcement against operators involved in these sites.
In addition to technology and regulation, education is also a crucial factor. The public needs a better understanding of the dangers of online gambling and how to identify platforms that may spread illegal content. Digital literacy programs should be expanded so that people are less likely to fall victim to such risky practices.
Digitaloceanspaces.com itself is a cloud storage service provided by DigitalOcean, a global cloud infrastructure company. This service allows users to store and manage data online, including website files, images, and videos. However, like other digital services, this platform can also be misused to distribute illegal content, including online gambling. Therefore, monitoring platforms like this must be tightened to prevent their use for unlawful purposes.
Kemkomdigi has demonstrated firmness in addressing online gambling issues with rapid and precise blocking actions. However, this effort must not stop here. A more strategic and sustainable approach is required to ensure that the digital space remains safe from harmful content. The synergy between the government, internet service providers, digital platforms, and the public at large will be key to creating a healthier and illegal-free digital environment.
The steps taken so far show the government’s seriousness in facing the online gambling threat. However, public involvement is also crucial in reducing the number of online gambling cases. Reporting websites or platforms suspected of containing gambling content can help the government act more swiftly. In addition, digital platform providers must be more proactive in monitoring their services to prevent them from being used for illegal activities.
With the firm steps taken by the government to block sites proven to spread gambling content, it is hoped that the public will be better protected from the adverse effects of online gambling. Close collaboration between the government, the tech industry, and the public must continue to create a safer and healthier digital environment. This step is not just a reactive measure but part of a long-term strategy to maintain the integrity of Indonesia’s digital space.
The author is a contributor at Jabar Trigger
