Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has temporarily suspended the operating licence of the video-sharing app TikTok, citing the platform’s refusal to provide complete data related to recent anti-government protests.
The ministry stated that the suspension followed TikTok’s failure to submit adequate information on its live feature activities during protests in August. TikTok, owned by China’s Bytedance, has over 100 million users in Indonesia, making it the country’s second-largest online audience.
Alexander Sabar, director general of digital space supervision, said the action reflects the government’s insistence on compliance after TikTok provided only partial data. The ministry specifically requested traffic data and information on the alleged monetisation of live activities from accounts suspected of online gambling. TikTok was given a deadline of September 23 to submit the requested information but did not comply fully.
A TikTok spokesperson said the platform is cooperating with the ministry while remaining committed to safeguarding user privacy and maintaining a safe and responsible environment for its users in Indonesia. The company confirmed that its live feature remained operational at the time of the announcement.
This suspension follows a series of regulatory challenges for TikTok in Indonesia. In August, the app temporarily restricted its live feature after violent protests triggered by the death of a man struck by a police vehicle. Earlier this week, Indonesia’s antitrust agency fined TikTok $900,000 for not notifying regulators on time regarding its acquisition of e-commerce platform Tokopedia. The company’s e-commerce feature had previously been suspended in 2023 after it expanded support for small businesses.
TikTok’s recent acquisition of a 75 percent stake in Tokopedia, Indonesia’s largest e-commerce platform, has integrated its shopping services into the Tokopedia ecosystem, further increasing scrutiny from regulators.
The ministry said the temporary suspension serves as a warning to ensure social media platforms operating in Indonesia adhere strictly to local laws and cooperate with government oversight.
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