Digital Platforms Face Immediate Fines for Failing to Remove Harmful Content Within 4 Hours
JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital is taking a hardline stance against digital platforms that fail to maintain a safe online environment by allowing harmful content, such as online gambling and child pornography, to persist.
The ministry has made it clear that platforms failing to remove dangerous content within a maximum of four hours after receiving a warning will face severe administrative penalties and strict enforcement measures.
"Protecting children from the negative impacts of the internet is our top priority. There will be zero tolerance for negligent platforms. This is not just about regulation—it is a moral responsibility to safeguard future generations," said Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid in a statement on Monday, Feb 3, 2025.
Under Ministerial Decree No. 522/2024, which amends Decree No. 172/2024, digital platforms classified as user-generated content electronic system providers (PSE UGC) must remove prohibited content within a specified timeframe.
Illustration of free internet access in Jakarta. Photo: Investortrust/Mohammad Defrizal.
The deadline for taking down child pornography and terrorism-related content is four hours, while other harmful content, such as general pornography, gambling, illegal investments, unlicensed online lending, and illicit products, must be removed within 24 hours.
This regulation applies specifically to private digital platforms, ensuring rapid responses to content that poses a risk to the public—particularly children.
To enforce compliance, the government has introduced Saman, a content moderation compliance system that tracks violations and imposes administrative fines on non-compliant platforms.
"Saman reflects our commitment to keeping the digital space safe, especially for children. With strict penalties, we believe platforms will act more responsibly," Meutya added.
According to data from Indonesia’s Child Protection Commission (KPAI), 481 children fell victim to cybercrimes and pornography-related incidents between 2021 and 2023. Meanwhile, a UNICEF report shows that one in three children worldwide has been exposed to inappropriate content online.
In response, Indonesia is following the lead of countries like Australia and the European Union, which have already implemented stringent content moderation regulations.
"Indonesia must not lag behind. With Saman, we are taking a major step forward in protecting the public from harmful digital content," Meutya concluded.