Indonesia Presses Social Media Platforms to Disclose Under-16 Account Removals and Age Verification Methods

Indonesia’s government is demanding that social media and digital platforms report how many accounts belonging to users under 16 they have removed under the country’s new child online safety regulations, while also requiring disclosure of the age-verification methods platforms use to enforce the rules.

The move follows Indonesia’s issuance of a ministerial regulation restricting under-16 access to high-risk digital platforms, which took effect earlier this year. The regulation requires platforms to implement age verification measures and remove accounts that violate the age threshold.

Indonesian authorities are pressing platforms to explain what specific technologies and processes they employ to verify user ages, whether through document-based checks, biometric estimation, parental consent mechanisms, or other methods. The inquiry reflects government concern that platforms may not be implementing meaningful age gates despite the regulatory mandate.

The regulation applies to platforms categorized as high-risk for minors, including social media networks, video-sharing services, and certain gaming platforms. Platforms that fail to comply with the age restrictions face potential sanctions including service restrictions within Indonesia.

Indonesia’s approach mirrors a global trend of governments tightening age verification requirements for digital platforms. The European Commission has separately urged Member States to deploy an EU age verification app by the end of 2026, while Australia and the United Kingdom have also advanced age assurance legislation targeting social media access for minors.

The Indonesian government’s demand for transparency on account removals and verification methods adds enforcement pressure to the regulatory framework. Platforms operating in the country must now demonstrate active compliance rather than simply acknowledging the rules.

Indonesia has more than 200 million internet users, making it one of the largest digital markets in Southeast Asia and a significant compliance market for global technology platforms.

Sources: Associated Press

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By the ID Tech Editorial Team