Indonesia tightens rules for digital platforms ^{CEFR B2}

Indonesia is intensifying efforts to govern global digital platforms as online news consumption grows. In early March Minister Meutya Hafid and other officials inspected Meta’s office in South Jakarta, framing the visit as a follow-up to Article 40 of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE). The law directs the government to protect public safety from misinformation and disinformation, and the minister urged Meta to be transparent about algorithms and content moderation practices.

The inspection is part of a wider system of platform rules. Since 2020 technology companies must register as Electronic System Operators (PSE) or face sanctions such as warnings, fines and access blocking. Komdigi operates a takedown mechanism called SAMAN that can compel platforms to remove content within 4–24 hours; platforms that do not comply risk fines or blocking. Wikimedia was blocked after refusing to register.

Recent episodes illustrate the tensions involved. In June 2025 several public accounts on X received government notices for posts that included criticism of the government. TikTok temporarily suspended its live feature during a national demonstration in September 2025 after Komdigi summoned the company, although the government denied issuing a direct order. Komdigi also held private meetings with platforms after large demonstrations in August 2025, and platforms later limited livestreaming.

Critics say the rules remain unclear. Masgustian of the Center for Digital Society (CFDS) at Universitas Gadjah Mada notes that definitions for terms like "terrorism" or "harmful content" vary even between Komdigi and the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN). Alia Yofira of Purplecode warns that takedowns, blocking and requests for user data during protests can disrupt public access to information and raise human rights concerns. Researchers also point to longer patterns of media control since Reformasi, including concentrated ownership and clear political leanings among some outlets during the 2014 presidential election. Regional cases in Cambodia (2023) and Myanmar after the 2018 UN report, and lawsuits filed in 2021 seeking up to USD 150 billion, show similar tensions as platforms, governments and civil society negotiate rules for online speech.