BALI, Indonesia — Another Instagram influencer has been detained in Bali and is being investigated by police there, who accuse the creator of “creating and selling porn on social media.”
The unidentified content creator, whom authorities identified as “a YouTuber,” was apprehended in the Kuta area of Bali, a popular, picturesque destination for international travelers and video creators. Also detained were two other people accused of “helping the individual in producing pornographic content.”
The chief of Bali's police cyber crimes unit, Nanang Prihasmoko, confirmed to CNN Indonesia that the authorities are still investigating the case in search of “strong evidence” to make an arrest.
Under Indonesia’s harsh 2008 obscenity law, "Law 44," porn creators and distributors may face up to six years in prison, local English-language news site Coconuts Bali explained.
“Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world,” the report continued. “The country’s ambiguous pornography laws have led to the jailing of people over adult content and leaked sex tapes, including celebrities. Even so, some Indonesians still break the law, with a number of content makers active on adult platforms such as OnlyFans, which is popular among sex workers.”
A Recurring Pattern of Arrests of 'Bule' Foreigners in Bali
Last month, as XBIZ reported, Russian influencer Alina Fazleeva was arrested after posting an Instagram-safe semi-nude photo taken during her stay in Bali, in which she could be seen leaning against a large tree with intricate roots, with her arms and legs covering her nipples and pubic area.
Recurring arrests of influencers and other people making content they share online are constant reminders that adult performers who shoot content away from their home regions should always be aware of the laws and penalties for the production and distribution of what could be considered “pornography” by local authorities.
A year ago, an incident in which a couple posted a TikTok video that was noticed by locals became known in the local press as the “Porn Villa” or “Viral Villa” affair. The video included the caption “Welcome to Our New Porn Villa” and featured identifiable Balinese landmarks, which appeared to identify the popular resort's location in the Umalas area.
Bali’s police commissioner told local press at the time that the authorities were in the process of posting signs warning tourists that pornography is a criminal offense in Indonesia.
The Indonesian press typically amplifies any scandals with sensationalistic headlines blasting any perceived sexual activity, particularly by “bule,” an often derogatory word that denotes both “foreigner” and “Caucasian.”
Main Image: A tourist at a Bali waterfall/Balinese law enforcement