Indonesia Threatens to Block Major Internet Platforms in Gambling Crackdown

The Indonesian government has warned it may block major online platforms, including Cloudflare and Wikipedia. Officials say this is a necessary step to stop illegal online gambling. The threat raises a difficult question for a democracy: What happens when a government fears its own internet? The move targets services that millions of Indonesians rely on for information and daily use. Authorities justify the potential blocks as part of a strict crackdown. Online gambling is illegal in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. However, the warning has alarmed technology experts and free-speech advocates. They see it as a risky action that could limit digital freedom and access to knowledge under the stated goal of fighting crime.