Indonesia, Meta Form Joint Team to Combat Online Gambling Spam

Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has partnered with Meta Indonesia to combat a significant increase in online gambling promotion spam. The collaboration follows a meeting between Minister Meutya Hafid and Meta representatives, resulting in the formation of a joint team dedicated to tackling this issue.

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Today we met with Meta and reached an agreement that we consider important. We will form a joint team within the framework of eradicating and overcoming online gambling, especially the latest modus operandi in the form of spam comments that are disturbing the public.

Komdigi reported a 128% surge in online gambling spam comments over the past two weeks compared to the first half of the year. Analysis revealed organized bot networks targeting high-reach accounts, including government, media, and public figures, primarily on Instagram and Facebook. Minister Hafid highlighted the challenge of intervening in comment sections, which are controlled by the platform, unlike direct website or account actions.

"The targets are precisely the official accounts because they have wide reach. While intervention in the comment section is on the platform. The technology is on the platform. Therefore, we expect Meta to strengthen its moderation, bot detection, and spam filtering systems so that Indonesia's digital space is more protected," Hafid stated. She also noted ongoing coordination with other government bodies, including the police and financial intelligence unit, to cut off funding and dismantle digital crime networks.

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The targets are precisely the official accounts because they have wide reach. While intervention in the comment section is on the platform. The technology is on the platform. Therefore, we expect Meta to strengthen its moderation, bot detection, and spam filtering systems so that Indonesia's digital space is more protected.

Meta Indonesia's Head of Public Policy, Berni Moestafa, affirmed the company's commitment to collaboration. "The perpetrators continuously change their operating methods and always adapt, making prevention challenges increasingly complex. Therefore, Meta is ready to collaborate with Komdigi and form a joint team to strengthen the handling of online gambling promotion spam," Moestafa said. The joint team will focus on enhancing moderation systems, accelerating bot detection, improving spam comment handling, and strengthening coordination against evolving digital crime tactics.

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The perpetrators continuously change their operating methods and always adapt, making prevention challenges increasingly complex. Therefore, Meta is ready to collaborate with Komdigi and form a joint team to strengthen the handling of online gambling promotion spam.