Indonesian Government Summons Tech Giants Over Disinformation and Harmful Content
JAKARTA – The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) has taken decisive action against the spread of disinformation and harmful content online by summoning major tech platforms, including Meta (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) and TikTok. This move comes in the wake of public protests sparked by the proliferation of fake news on these platforms. Kominfo has expressed strong concerns about the detrimental effects of disinformation and emphasized the need for these companies to take greater responsibility in moderating content.
The ministry’s summons underscores the growing alarm within the government over the rapid dissemination of false information, particularly on social media platforms. Kominfo has been actively monitoring the situation and identified both TikTok and Instagram as major channels for the spread of this harmful content. The public outcry and subsequent demonstrations prompted the government to escalate its response and demand immediate action from the responsible companies.
Deputy Minister of Kominfo, Angga Raka Prabowo, stated that the spread of disinformation had ignited public anger and fueled protests. He stressed that Meta and TikTok must adopt a more proactive approach to content moderation and swiftly remove any material deemed harmful, including disinformation, pornography, and content promoting online gambling. Crucially, the ministry expects these companies to take action without needing to receive formal requests from the government.
The Indonesian government is emphasizing the importance of compliance with existing regulations. Mr. Prabowo issued a stern warning, stating that failure to adhere to these rules would result in sanctions, ranging from written warnings and fines to temporary suspension of services, revocation of access, and even removal from the list of registered electronic platforms. He underlined the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s interests and protecting citizens from the harmful effects of online misinformation.
The Deputy Minister cited specific examples of problematic content, including a fabricated video that falsely portrayed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani as claiming teachers were a burden on the state. He also highlighted the recirculation of old riot footage, presented as if it were recent, which further inflamed public sentiment following the demonstrations. These examples illustrate the potential for manipulated and outdated content to incite unrest and mislead the public.
Kominfo has scheduled meetings with TikTok and Meta representatives this weekend to address these critical concerns. The ministry is also planning to extend invitations to representatives from X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, broadening the scope of its engagement with major online platforms. This multi-pronged approach underscores the government’s determination to tackle the pervasive issue of online disinformation and hold tech companies accountable for the content hosted on their platforms. The focus is on ensuring a safer and more responsible online environment for all Indonesian citizens. The meetings are expected to discuss specific measures for enhancing content moderation and implementing stricter procedures for identifying and removing harmful material. The Indonesian government is committed to working collaboratively with these platforms while also making it clear that decisive action will be taken against those failing to uphold their responsibilities in safeguarding the online space.