“Indonesia Cracks Down on TikTok, Halts Licence Over Data-Sharing Dispute”

Indonesia’s government has suspended the operating licence of TikTok after the platform allegedly refused to provide full data on its live-streaming activities during anti-government protests in August, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs announced on Friday.

With over 100 million users, Indonesia represents TikTok’s second-largest market. But the ministry accused the China-owned app of failing to meet data-sharing obligations despite repeated requests, including information on suspected online gambling activities linked to live streams.

“This step reflects the government’s firmness after TikTok only provided partial data,” said Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Supervision. He explained that the company had been given until September 23 to comply but missed the deadline.

In response, TikTok said it respects national laws and is working closely with the ministry while remaining committed to user privacy and providing a safe experience for its Indonesian community. Despite the suspension notice, the app’s live feature remained operational as of Friday evening.

The move adds to TikTok’s mounting regulatory troubles in Indonesia. In August, the platform temporarily disabled its live-streaming function following violent protests sparked by the death of a man struck by a police vehicle. Earlier this week, the country’s antitrust agency fined TikTok $900,000 for failing to notify regulators about its acquisition of e-commerce giant Tokopedia.

In 2023, the government also suspended TikTok’s e-commerce operations to protect small businesses. TikTok later purchased a 75% stake in Tokopedia, merging their online shopping services in a bid to adapt to Indonesia’s regulations.