The digital nomad community says a technical error caused some Indonesian applicants to be mistakenly rejected, but questions remain over whether the explanation will ease public criticism.
Just days after facing allegations of discriminating against Indonesian applicants, Entourage Bali has publicly apologized, suspended all community events, and blamed a technical error in its registration system for the controversy that has dominated social media in Bali this week.
In a statement posted on its official Instagram account on Friday, the Canggu-based community said it had “no intention of discriminating against anyone” and acknowledged responsibility for the incident.
“First, we sincerely apologize to everyone who felt offended. We are temporarily suspending all events while we take full responsibility and make meaningful improvements,” the group said.
Entourage Says an Automated System Caused the Problem
According to Entourage Bali, the controversy stemmed from an incorrect automated setting used to approve members joining its WhatsApp community and several non-running events.
The organization said the configuration unintentionally created a bias that caused some applicants using Indonesian phone numbers beginning with the country’s +62 dialing code to be rejected.
“Our goal was to build a community where people could connect. Instead, the automation created an unintended bias that mistakenly rejected some Indonesian applicants,” the statement said.
The group stressed that the issue was technical rather than intentional and denied ever having a policy that excluded Indonesians from joining.
Running Events Were “Always Open”
Entourage Bali also rejected suggestions that its public running events were limited to foreign participants.
It said its regular community runs have always been open to everyone without requiring registration. The only recent exception, according to the organizers, was the Silent Disco Run held on July 22, where tickets were required because of the limited number of wireless headphones available.
To support its explanation, the group released attendance data showing that Indonesians represented the largest national group among registered participants.
Of the 94 guests who booked tickets, 22 participants (23.4%) were Indonesian, followed by Russian nationals and participants from several other international communities.
A Controversy That Reached Beyond One Running Club
The apology follows widespread criticism after screenshots circulated online appearing to show Indonesian applicants being rejected while foreign applicants were allegedly approved more easily.
The controversy quickly expanded beyond social media after Ni Luh Djelantik called on Bali Immigration and Bali Police to investigate the allegations and examine whether the group’s activities complied with local regulations.
The incident also prompted one of the venues associated with the community’s events to publicly distance itself from the organizers, saying it had no role in participant selection and condemning discrimination in any form.
Can the Apology Rebuild Trust?
Entourage Bali said its long-term mission has always been to build an inclusive community while supporting local businesses and charitable organizations across Bali.
Whether that explanation will satisfy critics remains uncertain.
The allegations sparked a broader conversation about how Bali’s rapidly growing expatriate and digital nomad communities interact with local residents. For many Indonesians, the issue was never just about one running club. It became a debate about inclusion, respect, and ensuring that public communities on the island remain open to everyone.
Although Entourage Bali has suspended its events and apologized publicly, the response from authorities and those who first raised the allegations will likely determine whether the controversy ends with a technical explanation or continues as a wider discussion about community relations in Bali.
