If you've ever tried to open Reddit and instead received a "connection not available" message or a blank page, you're not alone. Many Indonesians have experienced the same thing. But why doesn't Reddit open here, and why does this also affect several web3-based projects like Hive Posh? Let's discuss this together.
The Origin of the Problem: The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology's Electronic System Provider Regulations
So, in Indonesia, there are regulations from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology regarding Electronic System Providers (ESPs). Essentially, all large foreign websites or platforms that want to operate in Indonesia must first register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. This is so the government knows who manages them and can regulate any content deemed to violate laws or norms.
Reddit hasn't registered as an ESP. Because of this, access to Reddit has been blocked on most Indonesian internet networks for the past few years. So, it's not just Reddit that's affected; other platforms like Vimeo and Steam have also experienced similar issues before finally registering and reopening.
Main Issue: Sensitive Content and Local Norms
Besides administrative issues, another reason Reddit was blocked was because it was deemed to contain content that was inconsistent with Indonesian norms and culture.
Reddit is essentially a large forum where people from all over the world can chat about any topic, from technology and business to health and even more "adult" topics. However, a small portion of the content there contains elements of pornography or violence, which violate Indonesia's Pornography Law.
From the government's perspective, this is certainly considered necessary to control. However, from the user's perspective, many find it a shame, as there are actually many positive communities on Reddit that are beneficial, such as language learning forums, programmer communities, photographers, or even blockchain and Web3 activists.
Impact on the Hive Posh Project
Now, this is where the negative impact comes in. One of the blockchain-based community projects affected is Hive Posh.
For those of you who don't know, Hive Posh is a project in the Hive Blockchain ecosystem that focuses on connecting social activities on Web2 (like Reddit, X/Twitter, etc.) with Web3 content on Hive. The goal is pretty cool: to ensure that content sharing on social media remains rewarded and transparent through the Hive blockchain system.
The problem is, because Reddit is blocked in Indonesia, the Hive Posh system, which normally reads and verifies Reddit posts, doesn't function properly from within Indonesia. Connections to the Reddit API or comment links often fail, and Indonesian users struggle to "posh" from their Reddit accounts.
So, while Hive Posh technically supports integration with Reddit, users in Indonesia can't actually use it.
A Still Reliable Alternative: X (Twitter)
Fortunately, Hive Posh also offers integration with X (formerly Twitter). Currently, this is the most reliable alternative in Indonesia, as X still functions smoothly without any access issues.
By using X, Hive users can still share their Hive post links to social media, gain engagement, and earn rewards from the Hive Posh system as usual. This method is the most realistic option for content creators, influencers, and the Hive community in Indonesia who want to stay active and connected despite Reddit's block.
Positives and Negatives of the Blocking
From the government's perspective, the blocking of Reddit is intended to maintain social norms and digital security. The government wants the internet to remain free from harmful or illegal content.
However, on the other hand, many users feel disadvantaged by losing access to a significant source of information. Many educational discussions, research projects, and professional communities are lost.
Especially for a project like Hive Posh, which aims to connect the Web 2 and Web 3 worlds, this blockage hinders digital innovation at the community level.
Personal Opinion: A Middle Ground Needed
In my personal opinion, a total blockade is not the best solution. The digital world is now too vast to be limited by black and white.
Reddit does have sensitive content, but it also has millions of positive topics that can educate and build creative communities.
It would be much better if the government could collaborate directly with platforms like Reddit, for example by implementing a geoblocking system for certain content. This way, content deemed infringing would still be blocked, but access to positive content would remain open.
That way, Indonesian internet users could continue to enjoy the global benefits of Reddit, and projects like Hive Posh could operate normally without having to "go off-track" using a VPN.
Conclusion
In short, Reddit cannot be accessed in Indonesia because it has not registered as a PSE and is considered to contain content that violates local norms. As a result, projects like Hive Posh, which use Web2 methods through Reddit, are not functioning optimally in Indonesia.
For the time being, the only smooth and stable alternative is through X (Twitter). This way, the Hive community in Indonesia can remain actively engaged and receive rewards for sharing content.
Hopefully, in the future, a common ground will be reached so that Reddit can be officially reopened, and innovations like Hive Posh can be implemented more widely without regional restrictions.
Thanks,
@ponpase
Posted Using INLEO