“Social media is like fire—it can be useful if controlled, but dangerous if left unchecked.” This simple idea perfectly fits the current situation between Indonesia and TikTok.
On Friday, Indonesia announced that it has suspended TikTok’s registration to provide electronic services in the country. This decision came after the popular app failed to share complete information about how its live stream feature was being used. The suspension, at least in theory, could block TikTok access in Indonesia, a country where more than 100 million people have accounts on the platform. However, when people tried to open TikTok on the same day, the app still seemed to work as normal, creating some confusion among users.
A government official from Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, Alexander Sabar, explained the reason behind the suspension. He said that during recent protests in the country, TikTok’s live streaming feature had been misused. According to him, “some accounts with ties to online gambling activities used TikTok’s live stream feature during national protests.” This was a serious issue because the protests were already a very sensitive matter in Indonesia.
The protests, which shook Indonesia from late August to September, were some of the biggest the country had seen in years. People marched in the streets of major cities, raising their voices against huge allowances given to lawmakers and against cases of police brutality. Indonesia, being the world’s third-largest democracy, often witnesses strong public demonstrations, but this wave of protests was especially heated and widespread. In the middle of all this, social media became a powerful tool for communication, but it also raised concerns about misuse.
TikTok, for its part, tried to respond during the crisis. The company temporarily suspended its live stream feature during the protests, saying it wanted to keep the platform safe. A TikTok spokesperson said on Friday, “This was intended to keep TikTok a safe and civil space.” The company also stressed that it respects the laws of every country where it operates and is working with the Indonesian digital ministry to solve the issue.
But the Indonesian government expected more. Officials had asked TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, to hand over detailed data about how its live streaming feature was being used. This included traffic data, streaming records, and information about monetisation. According to Sabar, TikTok did not provide full data and instead referred to its own internal rules and procedures. The government felt this was not acceptable.
“So the communications and digital ministry deemed TikTok to have violated its obligations as a private electronic provider,” Sabar said. Because of this, the ministry decided to suspend TikTok’s registration under the country’s licensing rules.
Indonesia’s rules for online companies are clear. Every company that signs up under the nation’s licensing system must share its data with the government when asked. This is meant for supervision, monitoring, and protecting the public. If a company fails to follow these rules, it risks being blocked from operating in Indonesia. For TikTok, which is one of the most widely used apps in the country, such a suspension is a serious matter.
For ordinary Indonesians, this news came as a shock. Many teenagers and young adults rely heavily on TikTok for entertainment, education, and even business. Small entrepreneurs often use the platform to sell products, connect with customers, and grow their income. The idea that TikTok could be suspended created worry among them. At the same time, some parents and teachers expressed support for the government’s decision, saying that social media platforms must take responsibility for the safety of their users.
The situation also highlights a larger global concern. Around the world, governments are becoming more careful about how social media platforms handle data and how they deal with content that can affect public safety. Indonesia is not the first country to challenge TikTok over data issues. In fact, several nations have raised concerns about the way ByteDance collects, stores, and shares user information. Some governments even fear that sensitive data could end up in the wrong hands.
In Indonesia’s case, the link between TikTok’s live stream and illegal online gambling during protests was seen as especially dangerous. Gambling is a serious crime under Indonesian law, and mixing it with political unrest made the matter even worse in the eyes of officials. That is why the ministry acted strongly, even if the suspension has not yet fully blocked the app for users.
TikTok now faces a challenge. On one hand, it must satisfy the Indonesian government by providing the required data. On the other hand, it must stick to its own company rules and protect the privacy of its users. Striking this balance is not easy, but it is necessary if TikTok wants to continue growing in Indonesia, one of its biggest markets in the world.
The outcome of this standoff will be important not just for TikTok but also for other global tech companies. If Indonesia continues to demand strict data-sharing rules, it could set an example for other countries in Southeast Asia and beyond. Companies might have to adjust the way they operate, becoming more transparent with governments while still respecting user rights.
For now, millions of Indonesian users wait to see what happens next. Will TikTok provide the full data the government has asked for? Will the app be blocked completely if the dispute continues? Or will there be a compromise that allows both sides to move forward?
As one young user in Jakarta said while scrolling through her TikTok feed, “I just hope they fix this soon. TikTok is where I connect with my friends, learn new things, and share my ideas. Losing it would feel like losing a part of my daily life.”
This statement shows why the issue is so complex. TikTok is not just an app—it has become a part of social culture, especially for young people. At the same time, the government has a responsibility to protect its citizens and make sure technology is not misused. The question now is whether both sides can find a middle path that keeps TikTok alive in Indonesia while ensuring safety and accountability.
And so, as Indonesia waits for the next step in this unfolding story, the world is watching closely. Will this be remembered as just another temporary suspension, or as the start of a much bigger change in how countries deal with global social media platforms? Only time will tell.
