Indonesia tightens rules for digital platformsCEFR A2
17 Apr 2026
Adapted from Irma Garnesia, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Markus Winkler, Unsplash
Indonesia has stepped up efforts to regulate global digital platforms. In early March a government minister visited a major company's office in South Jakarta and asked for more transparency about algorithms and content moderation. The visit followed Article 40 of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law, which aims to protect public safety from misinformation and disinformation.
Since 2020 technology companies must register as Electronic System Operators (PSE) or face sanctions. A government takedown system called SAMAN can ask platforms to remove content within hours, and some platforms have limited livestreaming. Critics say the rules are unclear and that takedowns can hurt access to information and user rights.
Difficult words
- regulate — to make and apply official rules for something
- transparency — open and clear information about actions or processes
- algorithm — a set of rules a computer follows to decidealgorithms
- moderation — the act of checking or controlling online content
- misinformation — false or wrong information shared with others
- takedown — removal of online content by a platform or authoritytakedowns
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think companies should explain how their algorithms work? Why or why not?
- How might quick takedowns of content affect people's access to information?
- Have you seen misinformation online? How did it affect you or others?
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