Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, led a sudden inspection of Meta’s operational offices in Jakarta on Wednesday (04/03). The action targeted Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp for failing to control online gambling and disinformation, slander, and hate speech (DFK) on their platforms.

During the inspection, Meutya was accompanied by key officials including Dirjen Pengawasan Ruang Digital Komdigi Irjen Pol Alexander Sabar, BIN Deputy VI Irjen Pol Heri Armanto Sutikno, BSSN Deputy Sulistyo, Kemenkopolkam Asisten Deputi Marsma TNI Budi Eko Pratomo, Komandan Pengendalian Konten Satsiber TNI Kolonel Adm Gusti Sopyannur, and Bareskrim Polri Kombes Pol Dadan Wira Laksana.

Meta Compliance Rate in Indonesia Among Lowest

Government monitoring data revealed that Meta’s compliance in removing online gambling and DFK content in Indonesia is only 28.47 percent. Among social media platforms operating in the country, Meta ranks among the lowest in regulatory adherence.

This low rate is concerning because Indonesia hosts one of the largest Meta user bases in the world, with approximately 112 million users each on Facebook and WhatsApp.

Government Warns Meta Over Public Safety Threats

Minister Meutya Hafid stressed that the platform’s slow content moderation has caused real harm. “Konten DFK ini mengancam nyawa masyarakat Indonesia tapi Meta bisa dengan santai membiarkan,” she said.

Authorities stated that allowing disinformation to spread fuels social division, weakens democracy, and increases societal polarization, which threatens public order.

Legal Mandate Strengthens Government Action

The government referred to Article 40 of Law Number 1 of 2024 (UU ITE), giving authorities full power to prevent and handle illegal electronic information. Meutya emphasized that all electronic system operators in Indonesia must follow national law and are fully responsible for protecting the digital space for citizens.

Meta Urged to Improve Moderation Systems

Indonesia’s firm stance shows the government’s readiness to hold global platforms accountable under national law. Authorities officially urged Meta to enhance content moderation and speed up the removal of harmful or illegal content, including online gambling, health disinformation, digital fraud, and sexual exploitation on its platforms.

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

This article was created with AI assistance.

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