Indonesia, Meta Form Joint Task Force to Combat Online Gambling Spam

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) and technology company Meta have established a joint task force to curb the spread of online gambling-related spam across social media platforms, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to tackle illegal online gambling.

Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced that the joint team will focus primarily on eliminating gambling-related spam comments on Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, following a sharp rise in public complaints over the issue.

“We have agreed to establish a joint team to address online gambling promotions on social media, particularly spam comments that have increasingly disturbed the public,” the minister said.

According to the ministry, online gambling-related spam comments have surged by 128 percent over the past two weeks compared with the January–June 2026 period. Officials noted that perpetrators are increasingly using automated systems and coordinated tactics to flood high-traffic social media accounts with promotional content.

Minister Hafid said the government is also considering expanding the collaborative approach to other digital platforms beyond Meta as part of broader efforts to suppress online gambling content across Indonesia’s digital ecosystem.

The ministry warned that online gambling operators are exploiting real-time monitoring systems and bot networks to target social media accounts experiencing high user engagement, making coordinated action between government agencies and digital platforms essential.

The joint initiative reflects Indonesia’s intensified campaign against illegal online gambling, combining regulatory measures with closer cooperation between public authorities and technology companies to improve detection, enforcement, and content moderation.