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The detention of UK content creator Bonnie Blue highlights Indonesia’s strict ban on producing explicit material and affects foreign visitors during a peak travel period.
Indonesian police have detained UK citizen Tia Billinger, widely known online as Bonnie Blue after alleging she filmed explicit content while travelling in Bali in early December.
Authorities confirmed that she and several British and Australian tourists were questioned after officers stopped a branded bus and initiated an inquiry into possible pornography offences.
All were released, but police retained their passports, preventing immediate departure from the island.
The case matters because Indonesia enforces one of the region’s most stringent anti-pornography statutes, which prohibits the production and distribution of explicit material.
Under Law No. 44/2008, violations are punishable by up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching six billion rupiah. The situation raises concerns for tourists unaware of how broadly the law applies to digital content activity, including filming for personal or online use.
Bali police said the investigation began after reports of a brightly marked bus associated with adult content travelling through Kuta and Legian.
Officers stopped the vehicle during routine patrols linked to “schoolies week,” a time when Australian arrivals increase.
Police stated that equipment capable of recording video was onboard, though they have not described the material currently being assessed.
Indonesia’s pornography law covers the making, storing, or sharing of explicit visual content.
Public records show the statute has been used in both online and offline cases; for example, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics reported more than a million website blocks relating to explicit material since 2018.
The current inquiry follows standard procedure: officers are reviewing devices, statements, and any location-specific evidence to determine whether filming occurred in Indonesia.
Bali’s tourism office reiterated that all visitors must comply with Indonesian criminal law, echoing guidance frequently promoted during major holiday periods.
Australia’s DFAT and the UK’s FCDO confirmed consular assistance is being provided but gave no comment on the allegations, following normal diplomatic practice.
Local commentary emphasised the island’s ongoing efforts to discourage behaviour considered inconsistent with cultural norms.
Officials noted that previous cases, including deportations for social media content filmed at cultural sites show how enforcement actions can follow online postings even after travellers leave the country.
On social platforms in Australia and the UK, reactions were divided, with some users pointing to long-standing warnings about Indonesia’s restrictive content laws.
The detentions serve as a reminder that activities legal elsewhere may be criminal in Indonesia, even when conducted privately or for online platforms operating abroad.
Under Indonesian law, any explicit material produced domestically may fall within the pornography statute, regardless of where it is later published.
Immigration rules also permit deportation of foreign nationals found to have violated public order.
The maximum 15-year prison penalty underscores the seriousness with which Indonesia treats such offences.
Passport confiscation during investigations can lead to travel disruption, overstays, and additional administrative procedures. For digital creators, the case illustrates that monetised or collaborative content does not change the applicability of Indonesia’s criminal prohibitions.
Indonesia’s Pornography Law defines prohibited acts broadly, covering “explicit sexual activities” and the dissemination of such material through electronic systems.
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights has confirmed in public briefings that foreign nationals can face both criminal and immigration proceedings.
According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Bali welcomed over 5 million international visitors in 2024, prompting ongoing reminders to respect cultural norms and legal boundaries.
Previous enforcement actions provide context: in 2021, Bali authorities removed several foreign nationals for posting content deemed to violate morality provisions, and in 2023, immigration officials confirmed multiple deportations linked to online activity.
Under Indonesia’s Immigration Law, passports may be held temporarily to ensure individuals remain available for questioning.
Police procedures must follow the Criminal Procedure Code, which outlines interview rights and access to legal counsel.
Consular services can assist with local legal contacts, welfare checks, and procedural explanations but cannot intervene in judicial decisions or request exemption from investigation.
Official travel advisories from the FCDO and DFAT advise tourists to familiarise themselves with Indonesia’s criminal laws, noting that offences involving morality or public order can lead to detention, fines, or removal from the country.
Police have scheduled additional interviews, after which investigators will determine whether evidence supports formal charges.
Any decision to prosecute would require referral to prosecutors under Indonesia’s standard criminal procedure.
If no offence is established, immigration authorities may still assess administrative measures, including potential deportation.
Consular teams are expected to remain involved until a final decision is issued.
The situation involving Bonnie Blue highlights how Indonesia’s strict rules on pornography apply to anyone visiting the country, not only residents.
Those laws carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison, which can come as a surprise to travellers who assume online content practices are treated the same everywhere.
The case also has implications for people who create material for digital platforms, particularly when working in destinations with different cultural norms and criminal codes.
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