Indonesia urges tech platforms to sign up to new licensing rules or risk being blocked

guest · Aug 1, 2022

The requirement is part of an overarching law, called MR5
MR5 gives Indonesia the power to force online platforms to take down content the government deems unlawful or a threat to public order
July 18, 2022

Indonesia urged tech companies on Monday to register under new licensing rules, or run the risk of having their platforms blocked, with data showing many big tech firms such as Google and Meta had yet to comply days out from July 20 deadline.

The requirement to register is part of a set of rules, first released in November 2020, that will allow authorities to order platforms to take down content deemed unlawful, or that "disturbs public order" within four hours if considered urgent, and 24 hours if not.
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As of Monday, more than 5,900 domestic companies and 108 foreign companies had registered, including short-video app TikTok and music streaming firm Spotify (SPOT.N), according to communications ministry data.

Other platforms such as Alphabet Inc's Google (GOOGL.O), Twitter (TWTR.N) and Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, have not yet registered.
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The new licensing system applies to all domestic and foreign Electronic Service Operators.
The government can also compel companies to reveal communications and personal data of specific users if requested by law enforcement or government agencies.

Some activists say the new articles related to content posed a threat to privacy and freedom of expression.

"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).
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guest · Aug 1, 2022

Indonesia bans access to Steam, Epic Games, PayPal, and more
The companies missed the deadline to comply with the country’s new requirements
July 31, 2022

The Indonesian government has blocked access to a range of online services, including Steam, Epic Games, PayPal, and Yahoo after the companies failed to comply with a new requirement related to the country’s restrictive content moderation laws, as reported earlier by Reuters.

In line with the rules, companies deemed “Private Electronic System Providers” must register with the government’s database to operate in the country, or otherwise face a nationwide ban. Indonesia gave companies until July 27th to comply and has since banned those that haven’t.
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The requirement is part of an overarching law, called MR5, which was first introduced in 2020. As noted by Reuters, the laws give the Indonesian government the ability to obtain data about specific users, as well as coerce companies into removing content that “disturbs public order” or is considered illegal. Platforms have four hours to take action on “urgent” removal requests, or 24 hours in the case of any other content.
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A 2021 report from the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) calls Indonesia’s laws “invasive of human rights,” as it puts platforms at the mercy of the Indonesian government, which will ban them if not in compliance with local laws. Earlier this month, the EFF penned a letter to the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo), urging the government to repeal its “invasive content moderation rules.”

The ban has left users in Indonesia stuck without the ability to process payments or even play certain games. As pointed out by Daniel Ahmad, a senior analyst at Niko Partners, some other popular games and services affected by the ban include Origin, DOTA 2, and Counter-Strike. Meanwhile, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, TikTok, Twitter, Netflix, and Spotify registered for a license last week, and all remain available.
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According to Reuters, Kominfo general director Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan says the country will give users access to PayPal for five days starting July 31st.

Update July 31st, 8:50AM ET: Updated to add that PayPal is now unblocked for five days, and that Valve is working on complying with Indonesia’s requirements.
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Indonesia urges tech platforms to sign up to new licensing rules or risk being blocked

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