Antara, Jakarta – Online discussion platform Reddit has become accessible again in Indonesia without the need for a virtual private network (VPN), ending a restriction that had been in place for about 11 years.
A check by ANTARA news agency on Friday found that Reddit could be accessed normally through Chrome and Safari browsers on smartphones, tablets, and laptops without using a VPN or alternative DNS service.
Core features of the platform, including the homepage, comment sections, and user profiles, were available as usual.
Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Supervision at Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, said the government has restored access to the online discussion platform Reddit after determining that the company complies with the country's regulatory requirements. As a result, users in Indonesia can now access Reddit without using a virtual private network (VPN).
"The ministry has approved the restoration of access to reddit.com following consultations and a review of its compliance with regulations applicable in Indonesia," Alexander said, according to Antara on Friday.
Based on the ministry's review, Reddit has implemented geoblocking for users in Indonesia, restricted access to certain content, and removed material related to gambling, pornography and other illegal content.
However, the ministry said Reddit is still required to register as a Private Electronic System Operator (PSE) and comply with all applicable Indonesian regulations.
"If illegal content is found to be accessible in Indonesia in the future, the ministry will take enforcement measures in accordance with prevailing regulations," Alexander said.
Indonesia blocked access to Reddit in 2015, arguing that the U.S.-based platform contained content that did not comply with the country's internet censorship regulations. Since then, Indonesian users have typically relied on VPNs or alternative DNS services to access the site.
It remains unclear whether the government has officially lifted the restriction or whether internet service providers have independently updated access to the platform.
Founded in 2005 in the United States, Reddit has grown into one of the world's largest online discussion forums and is often described as "the front page of the internet."
The platform hosts hundreds of thousands of user-created communities known as subreddits, each dedicated to specific interests ranging from technology, politics, and current affairs to music, entertainment, and hobbies. Individual subreddits are moderated by community volunteers who establish their own rules.
Content on Reddit is generated by users, known as "Redditors," who can post text, images, videos, and links. Other users interact with posts through comments and a voting system that allows them to upvote or downvote content, determining its visibility and popularity within each community.
Users can access individual communities through web addresses in the format reddit.com/r/followed by the name of the subreddit.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/tech/reddit-becomes-accessible-in-indonesia-after-11year-bloc