Indonesia Lifts TikTok License Suspension After Data Compliance During Protests

Indonesia reinstated TikTok's local operating license on October 4, 2025, just one day after temporarily suspending it due to the platform's initial failure to fully comply with government data requests related to the livestream activity during violent protests in late August 2025.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of Indonesia had suspended TikTok's license on October 3, citing that TikTok did not meet its obligations as a private electronic system operator. The government sought detailed data on user engagement, livestream traffic, and monetization activities during the protests from August 25 to 30, which TikTok initially partially withheld citing internal policies on data privacy.

The protests were sparked by public outcry over lawmakers' excessive allowances and police brutality, following an incident where a motorcycle taxi driver was killed by a police vehicle. The unrest resulted in at least ten fatalities and widespread damage across various cities. During this unrest, the government found that TikTok's livestream feature was being exploited by accounts linked to online gambling, which is illegal under Indonesian law. TikTok voluntarily suspended the livestream feature on August 30 to promote safety and resumed it when tensions cooled several days later.

After receiving the required comprehensive data submission from TikTok on October 3, Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Supervision at the Ministry, announced the reactivation of TikTok's registration. The government emphasized that the move was to uphold legal standards, prevent abuse of the platform, and foster a trustworthy digital environment for users.

TikTok remains Indonesia's second-largest market globally with over 100 million users, playing a key role in the company's Southeast Asian presence. The incident reflects Indonesia's increasingly assertive regulatory stance on tech platforms. Recently, TikTok was fined $900,000 for antitrust violations related to its acquisition of Tokopedia and had its e-commerce feature suspended in 2023, forcing it to acquire a majority stake in Tokopedia to continue operations.

Despite the suspension period, TikTok's platform remained accessible to Indonesian users, and the company stated it respects local laws while collaborating with the government to resolve the issue constructively. The brief license suspension also sparked discussions on social media about free speech protections under President Prowo Subo’s administration, reflecting the broader socio-political challenges in Indonesia's digital landscape.

This situation signals a growing trend of Southeast Asian governments demanding greater transparency and accountability from global tech platforms regarding data sharing, especially during politically sensitive times.