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Reasons behind the blockade: Violent and pornographic content, lack of permission to operate

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings during the Consumer Electronic Show 2016.

Indonesian state-owned telecommunications operator Telkom announced today that it has blocked all access to video-streaming platform Netflix. The blockade is effective starting from January 27, 12 AM, Jakarta local time.

Users will not be able to access Netflix from any Telkom service, including IndiHome, WiFi.id and Telkomsel. As e27 observes, users can still access the platform from private telecommunications operators.

Dian Rachmawan, Telkom’s Director of Consumer Service, cited pornographic and violent content as well as lack of permission as the reasons behind the blockade.

“We block them for not having permission to operate in Indonesia, and for having content that is not suitable for this country … As a state-owned enterprise, we need to set up an example and authority in conducting businesses,” he said as quoted by DailySocial.

Also Read: Should Netflix crack down on VPNs and proxies?

Regarding violent and pornographic content, Rachmawan stated that Telkom would be willing to partner with Netflix under the condition that the questionable content is removed.

“With a direct partnership, we can help manage Netflix through our Over The Top (OTT) platform as owned by Telkom. This blockade will not affect our customers as the number [of Netflix users] is still small,” Rachmawan explained.

Also Read: These are the 16 jobs Netflix is hiring for in Asia

Netizens reacted strongly to Telkom’s decision, with several public figures expressing their disappointment through Twitter.

“This is how they compete in our country … Good or bad u [sic] decide,” wrote Roy Simangunsong, Country Business Head at Twitter Indonesia, on his personal account.

Since launching its service in 130 new countries, Netflix has been greeted with controversy in Indonesia as the government demands censorship for some of its contents.

Minister of Communications and Informatics Rudiantara had also demanded Netflix to file for permission to operate by giving them a one-month deadline.

e27 has reached out to Netflix for comment.

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