Indonesia lifts TikTok suspension after disclosing protest-related activity data

share on

twitter /
facebook /
linkedin /
- email
- telegram
- whatsapp
- wechat
- pinterest
- line
- snapchat
- reddit

Indonesia has lifted its suspension of TikTok’s local operating licence after the Chinese-owned platform complied with government requests to share data related to recent protests, the ministry of communication and digital affairs announced.

TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, counts Indonesia as its second-largest market globally, with more than 100 million users. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to law enforcement and a trusted digital ecosystem, while reminding private platforms to comply with national regulations.

This followed a brief halt, after the ministry said on Friday that it had temporarily suspended TikTok’s operating licence for failing to provide sufficient information about activities on its live-streaming feature during anti-government protests recently.

Don't miss: TikTok addresses Tokopedia layoff rumours, pledges continued investment in ID

According to Alexander Sabar, the ministry’s director general of digital space supervision, TikTok supplied the requested data later the same day. This covers traffic escalation and TikTok Live monetisation activities during the period of 25-30 August 2025.

“Based on the fulfilment of those obligations, the communication and digital affairs ministry... reactivated TikTok’s status as a registered electronic system operator,” Sabar said in a statement released late Saturday.

“We will continue to monitor and maintain ongoing communication with all private electronic system providers to ensure the effective implementation of regulations and the sustainability of a safe, trusted, and conducive digital ecosystem for all users,” he emphasised.

TikTok’s operations in Indonesia have faced repeated regulatory and compliance challenges. Even during the protests - sparked by lawmakers’ perks and intensified by the death of an online driver hit by a police vehicle - the app briefly suspended its live-streaming feature. Framed as a safety measure amid unrest in several cities, the move drew censorship concerns and disrupted online sellers who rely on TikTok Live for daily income.

Just days before the licence reinstatement, Indonesia’s antitrust agency fined TikTok nearly US$900,000 for failing to notify regulators in time about its acquisition of eCommerce giant Tokopedia.

The company’s eCommerce feature was previously suspended in 2023, after the government moved to protect small businesses from what it called predatory pricing on online platforms. TikTok subsequently acquired a 75% stake in Tokopedia, merging their shopping operations to align with local regulations.

Despite the hurdles, Indonesia remains a crucial market for TikTok, both for its vast Gen Z user base and its growing role in the country’s digital economy. Indonesia is TikTok Shop’s second-largest market with US$6.2 billion GMV in 2024, behind the US (US$9 billion) and ahead of Thailand (US$5.7 billion), according to Momentum Works.

Digital Marketing Asia returns to Jakarta on 15 October, bringing the hottest trends, tech, and insights to future-proof your strategies. Network with 150+ industry leaders, discover cutting-edge tools, and learn from real-world case studies – all designed to propel your brand growth. Don't miss this chance to stay ahead of the curve!

share on