The operator of U.S. tech companies Meta, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as Google, have finally signed on to Indonesian regulations that give the government sweeping powers to shut down content it deems unwelcome and tax digital sales. The two companies are among the last internet media platforms to file a formal business registration in Indonesia, effectively supporting the new rules. Other popular platforms including Twitter, Netflix, Spotify and ByteDance/TikTok, as well as cloud services from Apple, Microsoft and Amazon, have also registered, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Information. An important market with 200 million internet users These moves are largely seen as…
The operator of U.S. tech companies Meta, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as Google, have finally signed on to Indonesian regulations that give the government sweeping powers to shut down content it deems unwelcome and tax digital sales.
The two companies are The last of several internet media platforms A formal business registration was filed in Indonesia, effectively supporting the new rules. Other popular platforms including Twitter, Netflix, Spotify and ByteDance/TikTok, as well as cloud services from Apple, Microsoft and Amazon, have also registered, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Information.
Important market with 200 million internet users
The moves are largely seen as a compromise by the tech industry to preserve access to an important market in Indonesia, home to some 200 million internet users, which has become an increasingly attractive investment for international tech groups destination. But journalists and activists continue to face harsh penalties under sweeping online media laws.
Indonesia’s regulations allow the government to block services that fail to remove content within 24 hours that could “incite unrest” or “disturb public order,” such as content that promotes pornography or supports terrorism. They also allow the government to levy VAT on sales of digital goods, from content to virtual items.
Violation Fines and Lockouts
“There will be warnings, then fines, and finally, closure of services for those who fail to register,” said Samuel Abrigani Panglapan, director general of information applications at Indonesia’s Ministry of Information.
As one might expect, there has been criticism of the new rules within Indonesia.
The Indonesian Union of Independent Journalists said in a statement that the criteria for “disturbing the public” were “flexible” and “reckless”. It warned that authorities may consider exposing news of human rights violations or “disturbance of public order” crimes, which have only a vague definition.
