Indonesia blocks Facebook, Google, WhatsApp if not registered with the ministry
JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities are ready to block social media applications and online services including Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp in the next few days if the parties fail to register with the country’s Ministry of Communications and Information, Xinhua reported.
The digital giant was given until Wednesday to complete licensing registration. The ministry will label the applications as illegal and against the country’s laws if they fail to do so.
“We have warned all local and foreign technology companies including online services, websites and application operators that they need to register if they do not want to be banned. We have given a period over the past six months,” said Semuel Abrijani, director general of the ministry’s Information Applications division. told reporters on Tuesday.
The registration is part of new rules that went into effect in January 2022, requiring all technology platforms to obtain a license before being allowed to operate.
The rule also allows authorities to order platforms that release any content deemed illegal, inappropriate and “disturbing public order” to delete submissions within four to 24 hours depending on the content in question.
The Indonesian government is trying to reduce the spread of false information and fraud, especially ahead of the country’s 2024 general election.
source – BERNAMA
