Bangkok, Apr 2 (EFE).-
Indonesia on Thursday issued a second warning to Meta and Google for failing to implement measures required under a new law banning social media access for users under 16, days after the regulation came into force.
Earlier this week, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said Meta and Google, which operate platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch, were in breach of the new regulations.
Authorities summoned representatives of both companies, who requested a postponement, according to the Antara news agency.
Jakarta issued a second notification on Thursday, warning that “every delay increases the risks faced by children” in the digital environment.
Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian country on Saturday to restrict access to social networks for those under 16, following a trend led by Australia and being considered by other countries, including Spain.
Authorities have not yet provided details on the age-verification technologies to be used under the new rules, meaning companies are currently applying their own systems to “detect and deactivate” accounts belonging to underage users.
On Tuesday, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid urged Meta and Google to begin implementing the necessary changes, noting that as of Friday, the eve of the regulation’s entry into force, their platforms had not specified what measures they would take.
“Up to three summonses can be issued before sanctions are imposed,” the ministry said on Thursday, according to Antara.
The restriction applies to eight platforms, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox, and affects an estimated 70 million children.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, has moved ahead of European countries such as France and the United Kingdom, which have taken steps to strengthen age controls, and Spain, which is considering banning social media for users under 16 and holding company executives accountable. EFE
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