Indonesia Restores TikTok’s Licence After Platform Shares Protest Data

Indonesia has lifted the suspension of TikTok’s operating licence after the social media giant complied with government requests to share data related to recent anti-government protests, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs announced on Saturday.

The ministry said the app’s licence was “temporarily suspended” on October 3 for failing to provide adequate information on activities conducted through its live feature during nationwide demonstrations in August.

According to ministry director-general Alexander Sabar, TikTok submitted the required data later that same day, leading to the reinstatement of its licence.

“Based on the fulfilment of those obligations, the ministry has reactivated TikTok’s status as a registered electronic system operator,” Sabar said in a statement issued late on October 4.

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, did not comment on the decision but has previously said it adheres to local laws in all markets where it operates. With over 100 million users, Indonesia represents the platform’s second-largest audience globally.

The app briefly suspended its live-streaming feature in August amid violent protests sparked by the death of a man struck by a police vehicle.

TikTok has faced mounting regulatory scrutiny in Indonesia. In late September, the country’s antitrust agency fined the company US$900,000 for failing to report its acquisition of e-commerce platform Tokopedia on time. The government had earlier suspended TikTok’s e-commerce operations in 2023 before the company acquired a 75 percent stake in Tokopedia, integrating their shopping businesses.

Authorities say tighter oversight of social media platforms is necessary to ensure compliance with local data and digital trade regulations.