Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs has lifted a temporary suspension of TikTok’s local operating license after the Chinese-owned app complied with a government request to share data related to recent anti-government protests.
The decision was confirmed late Saturday by Alexander Sapar, Director General at the ministry, who said the popular video-sharing platform provided the required data on the same day the suspension was imposed. The data reportedly concerned activities conducted through TikTok’s live streaming feature during mass protests in August that erupted after a man was killed by a police vehicle.
“Based on the fulfillment of its obligations, the Ministry has reactivated TikTok’s status as a registered electronic system operator,” Sapar said in an official statement.
The suspension, first announced on Friday, was issued due to what authorities described as TikTok’s failure to provide timely and sufficient information about live stream content related to the protests. The incident underscores growing scrutiny of digital platforms in Indonesia, particularly as social media plays an increasingly central role in public mobilization and political discourse.
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, did not issue a comment following the ministry’s announcement. However, the company has previously stated that it respects and complies with the laws and regulations in all the markets in which it operates.
Indonesia is TikTok’s second-largest market globally, boasting over 100 million users, making it a critical region for the platform’s growth and user engagement.
The company has faced a series of regulatory hurdles in Indonesia over the past two years. In August 2025, TikTok temporarily disabled its live streaming function during the violent protests, which followed the controversial death of a civilian. Earlier this year, TikTok was fined $900,000 by Indonesia’s competition watchdog for failing to notify regulators in time about its acquisition of Tokopedia, the country’s largest e-commerce platform.
In 2023, the Indonesian government had already suspended TikTok’s in-app e-commerce feature, citing concerns that the platform was disrupting local small businesses. The restriction prompted TikTok to restructure its operations in the country. In a bold move, it went on to purchase a 75% stake in Tokopedia, effectively consolidating its shopping operations under one umbrella and securing a foothold in Indonesia’s vast and competitive online retail market.
The lifting of the suspension is likely to be seen as a win for TikTok, but it also highlights the growing regulatory pressure faced by global tech platforms in emerging markets. As Jakarta continues to prioritize digital sovereignty and content governance, companies like TikTok must carefully navigate a complex mix of political sensitivities, commercial interests, and public expectations.
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