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Indonesia Suspends TikTok’s Operating Registration Over Data-Sharing Failures

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Indonesia has suspended TikTok’s registration as an electronic systems provider after the company allegedly failed to hand over full data related to its live-streaming feature, according to a statement from the country’s communications and digital ministry on Friday.

The move technically gives authorities the power to restrict access to TikTok—used by over 100 million Indonesians—but as of Friday, Reuters reporters were still able to access the app normally. Officials have not yet clarified whether the suspension will lead to an outright block.

Ministry official Alexander Sabar said the suspension followed concerns that accounts linked to online gambling exploited TikTok’s live-streaming tool during recent national protests, which erupted over lawmakers’ allowances and police brutality from late August through September. TikTok had temporarily suspended its live feature during the unrest, saying it aimed to “keep TikTok a safe and civil space.”

According to Sabar, the government requested TikTok’s traffic, streaming, and monetization data, but the company, owned by China’s ByteDance, did not fully comply, citing internal company procedures. “The communications and digital ministry deemed TikTok to have violated its obligations as a private electronic provider,” Sabar said, explaining that the platform’s registration was therefore suspended.

Under Indonesian law, all registered digital service providers must share certain operational data with the government for oversight purposes or risk being blocked.

In response, a TikTok spokesperson stated that the company respects local laws and is working with authorities to resolve the issue.

The dispute highlights Indonesia’s tightening regulatory scrutiny over global tech platforms, following a broader regional trend toward data sovereignty—governments demanding access to digital companies’ data as a condition for market operation.

Apple Receives Local Content Certificates in Indonesia, Still Needs Additional Permits to Sell iPhone 16

/in /tarafından

On Friday, Indonesia issued local content certificates for 20 Apple products, including the highly anticipated iPhone 16. However, the company still requires additional permits from other government ministries before it can begin selling these devices in the country.

The issuance of these certificates follows Apple’s recent announcement of more than $300 million in investments in Indonesia, including funding for plants producing components for its products and establishing a research and development center. This move comes after Indonesia imposed a ban on iPhone 16 sales last year due to Apple’s failure to meet local content requirements.

Apple was granted certificates for 11 phone models and 9 tablets, having successfully met the necessary criteria, according to industry ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief. However, Apple still needs permits from the communications and digital ministry as well as the trade ministry to begin selling its products in Indonesia.

Despite making progress, Apple has yet to receive a response from the relevant Indonesian ministries regarding its requests. Negotiations between the tech giant and Indonesia’s government had been described as “tricky” by the country’s industry minister.

According to research firm Canalyst, Apple was not among the top five smartphone brands in Indonesia in the third quarter of the previous year, highlighting the challenge the company faces in regaining market share.