Indonesia bans multiple online services for missing regulatory deadline

By Nikita Chaurasia  | Date: 2022-08-01

Indonesia bans multiple online services for missing regulatory deadline

The Indonesian government has reportedly banned access to a series of digital platforms, including PayPal Holdings Inc., Steam, Epic Games Inc., and Yahoo Inc., for failing to comply with the country's new mandate regarding content review policies.

The norm states that the companies classified as "Private Electronic System Providers" must enter the government's directory to function in the country or confront a blanket prohibition. Businesses in Indonesia were given until July 27th to abide, and those that did not are now blocked.

The provision is part of the MR5 law, which went into effect in 2020. The rules require the Indonesian authority to acquire information about users and compel firms to censor content that is either deemed illegal or disrupts public order. Platforms are given nearly four hours to respond to urgent removal pleas, and 24 hours in terms of other content.

While games like Origin, DOTA 2, and Counter-Strike have been affected by this ban, tech behemoths like Amazon Inc., Apple Inc., Google LLC, TikTok Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Netflix Inc., Spotify AB, and Twitter Inc., all applied for licenses before the deadline and are still operational in the country.

However, the digital rights organization Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has written to the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) advising the government to overturn its aggressive content moderation terms. It claimed that the country’s laws are intrusive on human rights as they place platforms at the mercy of the Indonesian government, who will forbid them if they do not comply with local regulations.

Meanwhile, the restriction has made Indonesian users wary, as they are unable to accept transactions or play certain games.

According to the General Director of Kominfo Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, the country will provide users with access to PayPal from July 31st – August 4th, giving them enough time to transition and find a way to get their money back.

Notably, Valve Corporation is said to be in the process of enlisting with the Indonesian database, allowing Steam, DOTA 2, and Counter-Strike to be unblocked soon.

Source credits:

https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/30/23285091/indonesia-bans-access-steam-epic-games-paypal-yahoo

About Author

Nikita Chaurasia     aeresearch.net

Nikita Chaurasia

An accomplished professional in the field of content development, playing with words comes naturally to Nikita Chaurasia. After completing her post-graduate MBA degree in Advertising and PR, Nikita worked across numerous content-driven verticals, undertaking diverse r...

Read More >>

More News By Nikita Chaurasia

Pacific Island pushes Japan to delay wastewater release from Fukushima

Pacific Island pushes Japan to delay wastewater release from Fukushima

By Nikita Chaurasia

Pacific Island nations have reportedly pushed Japan to postpone the release of Fukushima nuclear power plant wastewater due to concerns that it may pollute fishing grounds. An appeal was made on Wednesday when Japan announced that treated sewage f...

Activist groups take Danone to court over excessive use of plastics

Activist groups take Danone to court over excessive use of plastics

By Nikita Chaurasia

Danone, the French bottled water and yogurt firm, is reportedly being sued in court by three environmental activists’ groups for failing to cut its plastic footprint significantly. According to the groups, the maker of Evian and Volvic miner...

Bosch expands security with dashcams designed for rideshare drivers

Bosch expands security with dashcams designed for rideshare drivers

By Nikita Chaurasia

Bosch, the German technology company, has reportedly expanded its security footprint in the ridesharing market with the launch of its latest security dashcams. At CES 2023, Las Vegas, the German tech firm unveiled a new integrated smart camera on ...

Australia: PM Albanese denies potential $450M payout to Rio Tinto

Australia: PM Albanese denies potential $450M payout to Rio Tinto

By Nikita Chaurasia

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reportedly denied rumors that Rio Tinto and its partners could receive a $450 million settlement for the Gladstone power station, which would bring the total compensation for the coal price limit to...

UK: Firms still struggle with post-Brexit trading and red tape

UK: Firms still struggle with post-Brexit trading and red tape

By Nikita Chaurasia

Businesses in the UK are still reportedly grappling after two years following the beginning of post-Brexit trading, as suggested by a new report. According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), firms are still battling increased red tape and ...