The Cambodian government has banned Discord, Patreon and 29 other websites, claiming the platforms are linked to illegal gambling and illicit activities that threaten national progress and growth, sparking widespread public outcry and calls to reconsider the decision.
The Patreon app is a membership and crowdfunding platform where fans can financially support their favourite creators. Discord is a free communication platform where users can interact using text, audio, video and screen sharing.
On June 17, Cambodian media reported that the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) ordered the blocks, stating the 31 websites violate national laws. Officials argued that the platforms host illicit content and gambling operations, which could negatively impact education and the country's developing economy.
According to official data, 23 of the banned websites were categorised as online gambling platforms. The remaining eight were flagged as unauthorised trading and service platforms, a category that surprisingly included the popular creator subscription site Patreon.
Meanwhile, communication giant Discord saw two of its primary domains blocked - discord.com and discord.gg. The sudden restriction has caused deep concern among Cambodian users who rely heavily on the platform for daily communication, education, gaming, and community engagement. (continues below)
The ban has met with strong resistance from locals, who argue that Discord and Patreon are legitimate global platforms that should not be lumped together with illegal gambling syndicates. Many pointed out the inconsistency in the policy, noting that similar communication apps like Telegram remain fully operational.
Critics have also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the decision, expressing frustration over the absence of any prior public consultation before the sweeping blocks were enforced.
Ngeth Moses, a digital security adviser, said authorities may have uncovered evidence linking both platforms to illegal activities during recent raids on scam compounds operated by fraud syndicates.
However, Mr Moses warned that restricting access to the platforms could negatively affect legitimate users, including content creators, podcasters and gaming communities. He added that blocking platforms alone would not eliminate online fraud or gambling, as offenders could easily bypass restrictions using virtual private networks (VPNs).
Instead, he said Cambodian authorities should strengthen cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to improve investigations and more effectively combat cross-border cybercrime.
Source: Kiripost News, Padfrom X, Camboja News, Ministry of Cyber Affairs
