This story is a perfect example of how becoming a digital nomad can go horribly wrong. I find the Indonesian government's stance on LGBTQ people shameful and disturbing, but I also found the blogger's actions problematic, especially regarding her visa and the wrong assumptions she made about what she could and could not legally do with that visa. Remote work is still a gray area of legislation in many countries and can expose digital nomads to accusations of working illegally.
Bottom line: do your research about the country where you plan to relocate.Sources:Indonesia to deport US ‘digital nomad’ who tweeted that Bali is LGBT friendlyNot ‘Eat Pray Love’! Netizens slam American’s tweets on lavish lifestyle in BaliKey takeaways:-
Make sure your visa allows you to work and earn money in the country where you are living. This blogger made the fatal mistake of advertising her e-book and consultancy services related to Bali tourism, while living in Bali. Basically, in the Indonesian government's eyes, she was suspected of running an Indonesia-based business on a tourist visa. According to the SCMP article:
"Her lawyer Erwin Siregar said Gray had a social cultural visa that was valid until January 24 this year." This visa is not the right one to run a business in Bali.- Learn the norms of the country where you plan to relocate and avoid irritating cultural sensitivities. Indonesia is intolerant of its LGBTQ population (which is shameful) but it's unwise for a foreigner to advertise the country as LGBTQ-friendly when it is clearly not,
and to sell services based on that premise.- Educate yourself about the tax laws of the country where you live. Even if it comes from US or other outside sources, make sure you don't run afoul of local tax laws that may be be triggered by long-term residency.
- Do not underestimate the resentment that people in developing countries may have towards digital nomads from developed nations. This lady and her partner enjoyed a lifestyle that was cheap by US standards, but out of reach for many locals. It isn't just about the economic disparity and gentrification, either. Indonesia's difficult history of Western colonization also fueled the online backlash against them.
EDIT: clarification on wording/grammar.