The move sparked a backlash on social media.
Under the rules released in late November 2020, registration is required, which will give authorities broad powers to compel platforms to disclose data of certain users. It would also allow the authorities to take down content deemed unlawful or that “disturbs public order” within four hours, if urgent, and 24 hours if not.
Several tech companies had rushed to register in days leading to the deadline – which had been extended until Friday – including Alphabet, Meta Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and Amazon.com Inc.
Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, a senior official at Indonesia’s communications ministry, said in a text message that websites that have been blocked include Yahoo!, Paypal and gaming sites such as Steam, Dota2, Counter-Strike and EpicGames, among others.
Paypal, Yahoo!’s parent private equity firm Apollo Global Management and US game developer Valve Corporation, which runs Steam, Dota and Counter-Strike, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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EpicGames could not be reached for comment.
Hashtags like “BlokirKominfo” (block communication ministry), Epic Games and Paypal trended on Indonesian Twitter, with many criticising the government’s move as it would hurt Indonesia’s online gaming industry and freelance workers who use Paypal.
Pangerapan did not respond to a request for comment.
With an estimated 191 million internet users and a young, social-media savvy population, the Southeast Asian nation is a significant market for a host of tech platforms.
