Indonesia – ByteDance’s TikTok has temporarily suspended its LIVE feature in Indonesia as the country grapples with escalating political unrest and violent protests.
A TikTok spokesperson confirmed the move in a statement carried by AFP and reported by CNA, saying, “Out of an abundance of caution, TikTok LIVE is temporarily suspended for a few days in Indonesia.” The spokesperson added that the decision was made “due to escalating violence during protests,” stressing the platform’s aim to maintain a safe and civil space. TikTok said it will continue monitoring the situation.
The suspension has drawn concern from digital rights advocates who see it as a potential restriction on freedom of expression in online spaces. SAFEnet, a regional digital rights group, described the development as “a clear manifestation of the increasing restriction on freedom of expression, digital authoritarianism, and the militarisation of Indonesia’s cyberspace.”
The group urged civil society organisations to prioritise safety during demonstrations and to strengthen measures against provocations that could incite further conflict. They also called for continued monitoring of digital rights in Indonesia while standing in solidarity with protestors.
On August 31, CNN reported that Jakarta had summoned representatives of companies including TikTok and Meta, instructing them to step up content moderation as disinformation spread online. Authorities argue that such false information has fuelled the unrest.
The protests erupted on August 25 after public outcry over what demonstrators described as excessive pay and housing allowances for lawmakers. Tensions escalated sharply on August 30, when a police vehicle fatally struck Affan Kurniawan, a motorcycle rideshare driver, during a demonstration, sparking wider riots.
At least five people have been killed in the violence, described as Indonesia’s worst in decades. In response, President Prabowo Subianto said on Sunday that political parties had agreed to cut lawmakers’ benefits in an attempt to calm public anger.
