No Re-Registration, TikTok-Facebook Can Be Blocked By Kominfo

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - A number of electronic system operators (PSE) or application and social media providers are required to re-register their platforms to continue operating in Indonesia. Otherwise, the app can be blocked and declared illegal.

Quoting from The Minister of Communication and Information Regulation No. 5 of 2020 (Permenkominfo 5/2020) concerning Private Scope Electronic System Operators, Saturday, this regulation applies to PSE that provides, manages, or operates communication services, with products such as short messages, voice calls, video calls, electronic mail, and social media.

In the regulation signed by the Minister of Information And Information Johnny G. Plate, it regulates various matters of PSE implementation ranging from registration, provision, delivery, uploading, exchange of information, and other electronic documents.

Perkominfo 5/2020 requires each PSE to register with Kominfo to obtain a certificate. Electronic platforms are required to register within six months after the rules are promulgated on November 24, 2020.

The rule also mentions some parties that must be registered to the Kominfo, namely PSE operating in Indonesia, although established in other countries or domiciled permanently in other countries, provide services or used in Indonesia. Like Facebook and TikTok.

Kominfo may also sanction platforms that do not register within the period of time given in the form of administrative sanctions in the form of access to the application is terminated, and the product is declared illegal; as stated in article 7 paragraph 2a concerning The Imposition of Administrative Sanctions and Normalization.

"Article 7 paragraph (2): In the event that the Private Scope PSE does not register as referred to in paragraph (1) letter a, the Minister shall provide administrative sanctions in the form of Termination of Access to Electronic Systems (access blocking)," the regulation reads.

However, it is also written that the PSE that has been blocked can register with the specified procedure. Kominfo will then normalize based on the submission of recommendations by the relevant ministries or institutions, on the basis of PSE services that have complied with the laws and regulations.

Previously, the Ministry of Communication and Information stated that the obligation to register PSE was made in order to create a healthy digital space in Indonesia. This statement from Kominfo was previously responding to an issue circulating about the Clubhouse audio chat app, which has not been registered in Indonesia.

"This registration process is a normal and reasonable process, as is the business registration. This registration is intended for the benefit of Indonesian internet citizens and a healthier digital space, such as in relation to the protection of personal data and cybersecurity," said Kominfo Spokesman Dedy Permadi.