According to reports, Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has expressed his intention to potentially ban the game Free Fire in Indonesia. The alleged reason for this potential ban revolves around the perceived negative cultural influence the game has on the youth, particularly among underage children. The minister believes that the game contributes to a "child violence" culture, prompting it to be under the scrutiny of the authorities.
The game Free Fire has a track record of operating in violation of legal regulations.
Free Fire has repeatedly faced scrutiny from various country's local authorities, indicating it's not a new occurrence. Both the game and its developers, Garena, have been subjected to significant pressure from different nations' governing bodies, with several countries even considering a ban on the game. Notably, the Bangladesh High Court imposed a ban on the game several years ago, and ministers in Nepal have also expressed their desire for a similar ban, citing health concerns as the primary reason.
The game's history with Indian authorities has been erratic, as it was banned due to data security concerns but is now poised for a relaunch with servers located in Mumbai. Similarly, Indonesia nearly imposed a ban on Free Fire several years ago for similar reasons, citing child violence as the primary concern. However, according to Dunia Games, Indonesia is now closer to enforcing a potential ban on the game.
The core concern of Indonesia's child protection authorities, LPAI and KPAI, remains unchanged: the cultural influence the game exerts on youth and its potential long-term implications. The minister emphasized, "This decisive measure is crucial to mitigate the proliferation of games that are increasingly deemed harmful to underage children."
Indonesia holds significant market value for Free Fire, and a potential ban in the country could result in a considerable loss of its audience base.
Indonesia serves as a pivotal market for mobile game developers, and Free Fire stands to lose a significant portion of its player base if a ban is imposed in the country. It will indeed be fascinating to observe the studio's response and whether the proposed ban materializes.
Popular games like PUBG Mobile and Free Fire, despite their widespread appeal, are vulnerable to potential bans due to their gunplay elements and especially their attraction to a younger audience. Given that countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan have already prohibited these games, it's not unthinkable that Indonesia could follow suit.