Indonesia Suspends TikTok Registration Over Data Dispute Indonesia has suspended the operational registration status of TikTok, escalating a conflict with the popular social media platform. The government alleges that TikTok failed to fully cooperate with a request to share user data during nationwide protests that occurred in August. According to a statement from Alexander Sabar, an official from Indonesia’s digital and communications ministry, TikTok violated national laws by providing only partial data while the protests were ongoing between August 23 and 30. The government had requested comprehensive data related to traffic, streaming, and monetization. The request was initiated after authorities discovered that some accounts with links to online gambling may have profited from TikTok livestreams during the civil unrest. All forms of gambling are strictly illegal under Indonesian law. TikTok was reportedly given a deadline of September 23 to comply with the full data request. The company stated that it could not provide all the requested information, citing its own internal policies as the reason for the limitation. This failure to comply has resulted in the temporary suspension of TikTok’s registration. Despite this suspension, reports indicate that the TikTok app remains accessible to users in Indonesia for the time being. The duration of the registration suspension has not been specified by officials. The August protests were sparked by public anger concerning the state of the country’s economy, widespread police brutality, and several controversial government policies. During this period of unrest, TikTok had voluntarily suspended its live feature for several days. The company stated this was a proactive measure to maintain the platform as a safe and civil space for its users. TikTok boasts a massive user base in Indonesia, with over 100 million people using the app. A spokesperson for TikTok has responded to the suspension, stating that the company respects the laws of the countries in which it operates. They added that TikTok is actively working with the Indonesian digital ministry to find a resolution to the current dispute and restore its full operational status. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between global tech platforms and national governments over data control and regulatory compliance.
