Indonesia has temporarily suspended TikTok’s operational license, citing the platform’s failure to fully comply with a data sharing request during recent nationwide protests. According to Alexander Sabar, an official from Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, TikTok was found in violation of national regulations by only providing partial data between August 23 and 30, the timeframe of the protests.
### Background on Data Withholding Allegations
The ministry’s directive required TikTok to disclose data concerning user traffic, streaming activities, and monetization. This request arose amid allegations that certain accounts linked to online gambling profited from TikTok livestreams during this period. Notably, all forms of gambling are prohibited under Indonesian law. TikTok explained that its inability to share complete data stemmed from internal policies.
### Current Status and Government Response
Although the service has been temporarily suspended, reports from Bloomberg suggest that TikTok remains accessible to users in Indonesia. Sabar emphasized the urgency of transparency, giving TikTok until September 23 to comply with the data request. The backlash from protests in August, driven by issues such as economic concerns and police brutality, forced TikTok to voluntarily pause its live-streaming feature for several days to maintain a secure environment on its platform.
### TikTok’s Position
A representative from TikTok asserted the company’s commitment to adhering to local laws and indicated ongoing discussions with the digital ministry to resolve the matter. The platform boasts over 100 million users in Indonesia, highlighting both its significant presence and the importance of compliance in the region.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear how long the suspension will last and what impact this may have on TikTok’s operations in Indonesia.
