Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has partnered with Meta to launch a joint team aimed at curbing the rise of online gambling promotions on social media. According to Minister Meutya Hafid, the collaboration specifically targets automated spam comments that have triggered a spike in public complaints, with the ministry reporting a 128-percent increase in gambling-related comment activity over the last two weeks compared to the January-June 2026 period.
Why is social media spam becoming a primary vector for gambling?
The ministry identifies the use of organized bot networks as a “new” tactic for promoting online gambling. These automated systems flood the comment sections of high-traffic accounts, including those managed by government agencies, public figures, and influencers. Minister Meutya Hafid confirmed that while the initial focus is on Meta’s platforms—Facebook and Instagram—the ministry intends to expand these enforcement measures to other social media providers as the threat evolves.
The ministry’s data shows that gambling perpetrators are actively manipulating keywords in their messages to bypass standard platform detection systems, forcing a shift toward more advanced AI-driven moderation.
How are authorities and tech companies coordinating their response?
Combating online gambling requires a cross-border approach, according to Sarim Aziz, Meta’s director for public policy in Southeast Asia. Aziz emphasized that because the perpetrators are driven by financial gain, no single company can solve the issue in isolation. Meta is currently working alongside the Indonesian ministry, the police, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to resolve the issue.
Proactive enforcement strategies
The current strategy relies on three pillars of technological and human oversight:
- AI-Powered Detection: Improving artificial intelligence systems to identify and remove keyword-manipulated spam in real-time.
- Human Moderation: Increasing the capacity of human review teams to handle complex or evolving spam patterns that bypass AI.
- Inter-Agency Cooperation: Synchronizing data between financial regulators like the OJK and law enforcement to trace the money flowing into illegal betting platforms.
What makes this phase of regulation different from previous efforts?
While Indonesia has previously taken steps to block gambling-related infrastructure, such as the restriction of Polymarket and the prosecution of international operators, the current focus on “comment spam” represents a shift toward addressing user-facing content. Data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital indicates that the intensity of these campaigns has accelerated significantly in late 2026. By treating comment sections as a critical battleground, the government is shifting from reactive blocking of websites to proactive, platform-level content filtering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this collaboration limited only to Meta platforms?
No. Minister Meutya Hafid stated that the ministry plans to expand this approach to other social media platforms that are being utilized for gambling promotions.
Why are bots being used in comment sections?
Perpetrators use bot networks to target high-reach accounts, such as those owned by influencers or government agencies, to force gambling content into the feeds of as many users as possible.
Who is involved in the task force?
The effort is led by the Ministry of Communication and Digital and Meta, with support from the Indonesian National Police, the PPATK, and the OJK.
Are you seeing an increase in spam comments on your social media feeds? Share your experience below or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on digital safety and cybersecurity policy in Indonesia.
