Indonesia Threatens To Block Google And Meta If They Do Not Agree To ...

• News & Analysis
  • Industry News
  • Event News
  • News Roundup
• Insights
  • Strategy
  • Innovation
  • Case Studies
  • Features
• Opinion
  • Columns
  • Executive Viewpoint
• Resources
  • Reports
  • TI Tech Directory
  • Events
• More
  • Podcasts
  • A Coffee With
  • Year of Elections

Advertise Share

Indonesia threatens to block Google and Meta if they do not agree to new regulations

• Home
• Industry News
• News & Analysis
• Indonesia threatens to block Google and Meta if they do not agree to new regulations

• Industry News

Indonesia threatens to block Google and Meta if they do not agree to new regulations

July 18, 2022

Google, Meta, and other big tech firms are being urged by the Indonesian government to register under its new licensing rules, or risk their platforms being blocked.

Both Google and Meta are among several tech firms still yet to comply, despite the deadline being only days away on 20 July.

The licensing rules, released in November 2020, allow authorities to order platforms to remove content marked as unlawful, or that “disturbs public order” within 24 hours, or even four hours if deemed urgent enough.

Communications minister Johnny G. Plate told Reuters that he and his ministry urged companies to register before sanctions were applied and that platforms could face being blocked if they fail to comply.

More than 5,900 Indonesian companies and 108 international companies have registered, including social media app TikTok and music streaming platform Spotify, according to communications ministry data.

Platforms still yet to register include Google, Twitter, and Meta, which consists of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

The new licensing rules apply to all domestic and foreign Electronic Service Operators.

The rules will also allow law enforcement or government agencies to request communications and personal data from specific users on the platforms.

The Indonesian government says that the new licensing system was created to ensure internet service providers protect consumer data, and that online content is used in a “positive and productive” way.

However, activists have argued that the new rules will pose a threat to freedom of expression and privacy.

“Our analysis shows that this will be the most repressive regulation of its kind in the region,” said Nenden Arum, from digital rights group, the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet).

Minister Plate said the registration requirement was administrative and not about content.

With a population of 270 million, there were an estimated 191 million social media users in Indonesia as of February 2022, according to Statista.

Big Data Share

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicole Deslandes

Suggested Articles

Bluesky boom: As users flee X, experts warn of scammers exploiting the shift

by Ann-Marie Corvin

Bad bots becoming more human, report finds

by Techinformed admin

Two subsea cables severed in Baltic Sea

by Nicole Deslandes

#BeInformed

Subscribe to our Editor's weekly newsletter

Be Informed. Subscribe to our editor’s newsletter This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Exit Popup

Before you go – stay connected to our B2B Marketing best practices by signing up for our Tech Informed Newsletter.

Email Address * I have read and accept the – terms & conditions

×

Amy Stettler

SVP Global Marketing, TechInformed

With over 30 years of global marketing experience working with industry leaders like IBM, Intel, Apple, and Microsoft, Amy has a deep knowledge of the enterprise tech and business decision maker mindset. She takes a strategic approach to helping companies define their most compelling marketing stories to address critical obstacles in the buyer – seller journey.

×

James Pearce

Editor, TechInformed

As founding editor of TechInformed in 2021, James has defined the in-depth reporting style that explores technology innovation and disruption in action. A global tech journalist for over a decade with publications including Euromoney and IBC, James understands the content that engages tech decision makers and supports them in navigating the fast-moving and complex world of enterprise tech.

×

Let’s Connect We’d love to talk about how we can help you build your next project Name * Email Address * Company * Message I have read, and accept the terms & conditions ×

This website protects your privacy by adhering to the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Please tell us which of the following data-processing activities you agree to. We will not use your data for any other purposes. Learn More

Allow Cookies Opt Out Close GDPR Cookie Settings

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

Powered by GDPR Cookie Compliance Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Enable or Disable Cookies

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Enable All Save Settings