Indonesia’s digital regulator is pressing global platforms to establish local representative offices, arguing that content enforcement cannot continue to depend on reports sent from headquarters abroad. The move is tied to a broader concern that moderation requests are still being answered far too slowly, even as harmful content continues to spread across major online services.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs says closer coordination is needed because online threats often require immediate action. In its view, having a local office would make communication with platforms faster and more direct when dangerous content must be addressed without delay.
At the center of the discussion is the low rate of compliance from digital platforms. Komdigi says platform compliance with content moderation requests is only around 20 percent, meaning most requests to take down problematic material are not handled quickly.
Minister Meutya Hafid raised that issue during a working meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives. She said many platforms still cannot clearly explain how far their systems can monitor online gambling, pornography, health hoaxes, and disinformation.
The ministry sees that gap as a serious problem because Indonesia is one of the world’s largest digital markets. With such a large user base, delays in handling harmful content are viewed as something the government cannot keep tolerating.
Regulatory framework still under review
Director General of Digital Space Supervision Alexander Sabar said the legal basis for requiring representative offices has not been finalized. Several options are still being studied, including a government regulation and a ministerial regulation.
Alexander said the ministry is reviewing the available legal instruments so the policy will have a strong foundation before it is enforced. He added that the review is expected to be completed as soon as possible, ideally within this year.
He also stressed that the policy cannot be implemented without clear rules. “We cannot apply it if there are no regulations,” he said in Jakarta, Friday (22/05/2026).
Why the government wants a local presence
The push for local representation is linked to the need for faster coordination when harmful content appears. Komdigi believes communication with platforms should be closer and clearer, especially when digital problems demand immediate handling.
The ministry also argues that a local office would make it easier to coordinate responsibility when content moderation needs to move quickly. That approach is meant to reduce the distance between the government and global platforms that now handle these issues largely from abroad.
Meutya said weak platform oversight has a direct impact on the spread of harmful material. She noted that online gambling, pornography, health hoaxes, and disinformation are often addressed too late by the platforms responsible for moderating them.
For now, there is still no formal rule that obliges platforms to set up representative offices. Even so, Komdigi continues to push for stronger compliance and expects digital platforms to become more responsive to moderation requests.
The ministry’s position reflects a broader effort to make digital governance more accountable inside the country. Komdigi wants online supervision to be handled with faster responses and clearer responsibility on Indonesian soil rather than through distant communication with overseas headquarters.
Source: www.idntimes.com