Indonesia Summons TikTok, Meta to Address Disinformation, Threatens Fines

The Indonesian government has summoned representatives from major social media platforms, including TikTok and Meta, demanding stronger action against the spread of harmful content such as disinformation, pornography, and online gambling. Deputy Communications Minister Angga Raka Prabowo highlighted that misinformation on these platforms, particularly deepfake videos and misleading posts, has fueled public unrest and violent demonstrations, including protests involving minors. The government has warned that platforms must proactively moderate or remove such content without waiting for specific requests, or face penalties ranging from reprimands and fines to suspension or revocation of access. TikTok and Instagram have particularly large user bases in Indonesia, with over 100 million accounts each, making the spread of misinformation a significant concern. Separate meetings with TikTok, Meta, Elon Musk's X, and YouTube Indonesia have been scheduled to address these issues. The Indonesian authorities emphasized that their goal is to protect the country by ensuring citizens receive accurate and complete information, countering the chaos caused by false narratives.