Like Nigeria, Indonesia may Block Facebook, Google, WhatsApp over New Regulations
TECHDIGEST – The Indonesian authorities are set to block social media applications and online sites including Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
The decision of the Indonesian government is similar to a recent indication by Nigeria to sanction tech giants who refuse to register for operation in the country.
The Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Informatics said on Tuesday that if the internet giants failed to register, they would be blocked in several days.
The digital giants were given time until Wednesday to complete the registration for licensing, otherwise, the ministry would name them illegal and unlawful in the country.
“We have warned all local and foreign tech companies, including online services, sites, and application providers, many times that they have to register if they do not want to risk being blocked.
“We have given them time since six months ago,’’ the ministry’s Director General for Information Applications, Semuel Abrijani told reporters.
The registration is part of the country’s new regulation starting from January 2022, saying all tech platforms must secure licenses to be able to operate.
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The regulation would allow the authorities to order the platforms to take down any contents considered unlawful, inappropriate and “disturb public order,’’ within four hours if deemed urgent, and 24 hours if not.
The Nigerian government recently sets new rules for Facebook, Twitter, others
PRNigeria reports that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) issued the new regulations for Internet platforms to operate in Nigeria.
Umar explained that the new code was designed to “define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem.”
The code demands that Internet platforms should “register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities.”
It also stipulated that they comply with all regulatory demands and applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.
NITDA also added that Internet platforms need to “provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform”.
The agency noted that the new rules were “developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, Tik Tok, among others.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria and Indonesian governments are trying to reduce the spreading of misinformation and hoaxes, particularly ahead of the their general election in 2023 and 2024.
By PRNigeria
