Many Platforms Ignore Regulations, Commission I of the DPR Supports Komdigi to Impose Strict Sanctions on Technology Giant Meta

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH//Dima Solomin

JAKARTA - Commission I of the DPR supports the government, in this case the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) to impose firm sanctions on the technology giant Meta.

This step is necessary following the low level of compliance of the company that manages Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp with national regulations, especially in eradicating online gambling content and digital crimes in Indonesia.

Member of Commission I of the DPR, Iman Sukri, emphasized that a global platform as big as Meta should not feel immune from the law when operating in Indonesia. According to him, ignoring national rules risks turning the digital space into a fertile land for illegal activities that harm the wider community.

"We ask the government to take firm action against the Meta company which has proven to still have a low level of compliance with national regulations. Indonesia has provisions that must be obeyed by all companies without exception. There should be no global digital platform that feels above the rules of the country," said Iman Sukri to reporters, Thursday, March 5.

Previously, the Minister of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) of the Republic of Indonesia, Meutya Hafid, carried out a surprise inspection at Meta's office in SCBD, Jakarta, Wednesday, March 4. Based on government monitoring data, Meta's compliance in following up on the findings of online gambling content and other violations is very poor, only reaching 28.47 percent or not even 30 percent.

Iman assessed that the figure was a weak signal of Meta's commitment to maintaining the security of internet users in Indonesia, who are very massive. He also reminded that the weak self-monitoring by the platform would trigger an explosion of cases of fraud, disinformation, and hate speech.

"The high number of internet users in Indonesia must be accompanied by great responsibility. Do not let digital platforms become a space for perpetrators of electronic crimes to find victims. This sanction is important to ensure that all platforms respect national laws and protect the community," said Iman.

Legally, continued Iman, the government has a strong mandate to act. Referring to Article 40 of Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to the ITE Law, he said, the government has the authority to prevent and terminate access to electronic information that violates the law.

"These sanctions are not merely to punish, but for a safe, healthy, and protected Indonesian digital space. Compliance with national regulations is a form of absolute responsibility of digital platforms for the country where they reap the market," he concluded.