A recent government decision is putting millions of Indonesian internet users at risk. In an effort to get digital companies to comply to newly introduced licensing and regulation rules, the Indonesian government now requires for digital companies to apply for a permit to continue operating in the country. Digital companies like Steam, Epic Games, PayPal and more were blocked not long after this new law was introduced, due to not completing the requirements to stay accessible within the country.

Companies that failed to register with Kominfo are now being blocked in Indonesia.

This includes services such as Steam, Epic Games, Paypal etc…

Will update when there is a greater clarity from these platforms or the govt on next steps https://t.co/vtxWjDCC57

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) July 29, 2022

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (Kominfo) made efforts to enforce this new law in July. According to analyst company Niko Partners, regulation is for tech companies who are providing services within Indonesia, doing business in Indonesia, and/or their electronic system is used and/or offered in the territory of Indonesia. Reuters reported that this gives Indonesian authorities abilities receive the data of users and compel digital companies to take down content that “disturbs public order” between four and twenty-four hours.

Quick update for those asking-

The blocks are not permanent, assuming the companies register and comply with the regulation, and Kominfo has already reached out to these companies to ensure compliance and reverse the block.

Here is a list of affected services: pic.twitter.com/6K121xVEMP

— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) July 30, 2022

While these blocks appear to not be permanent, the ripple effects have already been felt for Indonesian internet users. According to Reuters, people voiced their anger about the new law under the hashtags on Twitter, livid with how these blocks hurt the Indonesian video game and freelance communities. Users who get their income from companies like PayPal will be under difficult circumstances underneath this new law. For video game companies like Epic Games and Steam, Indonesian gamers run the risk of not being able to access games on their site, even if they’d been already purchased. Since this law has been introduced, the government has been urging digital companies to sign up to lift the bans, but only time will tell if any of these companies will comply to the Indonesian government’s terms.