INDONESIA, 03 October 2025 – Indonesia has suspended TikTok’s registration as an electronic service provider after the platform failed to hand over complete data related to its live stream feature, a government official confirmed on Friday.
The suspension could, in theory, block access to TikTok in the country, where it has more than 100 million user accounts. However, the application was still accessible on Friday, and the communications and digital ministry did not immediately clarify the extent of the suspension.
Gambling-Linked Accounts Trigger Scrutiny
Alexander Sabar, an official at the communications and digital ministry, said some accounts tied to online gambling activities had exploited TikTok’s live stream function during nationwide protests.
The protests, which erupted between late August and September, were fueled by anger over exorbitant lawmaker allowances and alleged police brutality. TikTok responded by temporarily disabling its live feature, saying it aimed to “keep TikTok a safe and civil space.”
Government Demands Data Access
The Indonesian government requested TikTok’s traffic, streaming, and monetisation data, but the company, owned by China’s ByteDance failed to provide the full dataset, citing internal procedures.
“So the communications and digital ministry deemed TikTok to have violated its obligations as a private electronic provider,” Sabar said, explaining the decision to suspend registration.
TikTok stated on Friday it respects local laws in all markets where it operates and is working with Indonesian authorities to resolve the issue.
Regulation at Stake
Under Indonesia’s licensing rules, all registered digital platforms are required to hand over relevant data to the government for supervision. Companies that fail to comply risk suspension or blocking from operating in the country.
