Indonesia’s government has adopted a confrontational stance against social media during the crisis. Officials called executives from TikTok and Meta earlier this week and urged tougher measures to combat misinformation and incitement online.
TikTok temporarily suspends LIVE in indonesia
Source Cryptopolitan
TikTok temporarily shuts down LIVE in Indonesia. This comes as marches over lawmakers’ pay and a deadly police challenge spiral into nationwide anger.
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, said the move had been made to protect users and prevent harm. The suspension will take only a few days, though no firm date has been set for the feature’s return.
The suspension was voluntary to keep the platform “a safe and civil place,” said a TikTok spokesman.
With LIVE streaming, creators can stream in real time to massive audiences. In times of political tension, it can also be used to circulate unverified claims, calls to violence, or livestreams of violent encounters. The company said it is taking added precautions to help secure its service and will keep removing harmful content that violates its community standards.
Indonesia is one of TikTok’s biggest markets worldwide, with over 100 million registered accounts. The company’s bet on the country has been large, in entertainment and its popular e-commerce services.
Protests spread across provinces
The announcement came after days of violent demonstrations in Indonesia. Protests erupted after members of Parliament approved higher allowances and spurned them on perks, infuriating people already struggling under the weight of a tight economy.
The anger grew after a motorbike taxi driver was killed when hit by a police vehicle. The incident triggered wider unrest.
Buildings have been torched in Makassar, West Nusa Tenggara, Central Java, and West Java. Three people died in South Sulawesi after a South Sulawesi local parliament office was set on fire. Protests sprang up as well in Bali, Surabaya, and Lombok, where police fired tear gas at the crowds.
A few protests devolved into looting rampages, stoking fears of deeper instability.
Indonesia Pressures Tech Giants Amid TikTok LIVE Ban
Officials threatened fines or suspension for companies that failed to comply.
President Prabowo Subianto called off a state visit to China to focus on the unrest. He promised to supervise the efforts to restore order personally.
TikTok did not offer a specific date for the return of LIVE. The company said it would re-evaluate when the security situation improves.
Analysts say the suspension reflects the blossoming power of tech platforms in national crises. TikTok has been a place for self-expression and humor. Still, it is also becoming home to political mobilization and the distribution of fast-paced information during unrest.
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