Indonesia Suspends TikTok's Operating License Over Data Transparency Issues

TikTok temporarily disabled its live streaming feature during the recent protests in Indonesia.

Jakarta:

Indonesia has suspended TikTok's registration as an electronic system provider after the platform failed to provide complete data regarding its live stream feature usage, although the social media application remained accessible to users on Friday.

Alexander Sabar, an official from Indonesia's communications and digital ministry, stated that certain accounts linked to online gambling activities utilized TikTok's live stream feature during recent national demonstrations and monetized these activities.

Widespread protests erupted across the world's third-largest democracy between late August and September over excessive lawmaker allowances and police brutality. During this period, TikTok temporarily suspended its live feature, claiming the decision was made to "keep TikTok a safe and civil space."

Sabar explained that following these events, the government requested the company's traffic, streaming, and monetization data. ByteDance-owned TikTok only provided partial information, citing internal procedural constraints.

"So the communications and digital ministry deemed TikTok to have violated its obligations as a private electronic provider," leading to the suspension of its registration, Sabar confirmed.

The regulatory framework stipulates that companies registered under Indonesia's licensing system must surrender their data to the government for supervisory purposes or risk being blocked.

TikTok, which hosts more than 100 million Indonesian-based accounts, did not respond to requests for comment.

It remains unclear whether TikTok access in Indonesia has been completely restricted. Reuters reported being able to use the application normally on Friday. The ministry has not immediately responded to inquiries for clarification.