Wikipedia Reaches Compromise With Indonesia Over Registration Rules
Indonesian government had threatened to block Wikipedia over domestic registration rules deemed overly invasive
Quick Look
- Wikimedia Foundation reaches compromise with Indonesian government after threat to block Wikipedia over 2020 regulation requiring foreign tech firms to register.
- The regulation allows takedown of content causing 'public unrest,' criticized as free speech restriction.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Indonesia's 2020 regulation requires all electronic system providers to register for 'legal and user protection purposes.' Critics say the content takedown provision for 'causing public unrest' is a free speech restriction.
Wikipedia The Wikimedia Foundation said on Saturday that it has found a compromise with the Indonesian govt, which had threatened to block Wikipedia over domestic registration rules the foundation feared were overly invasive. Under a 2020 regulation, all electronic system providers (PSEs) must register in Indonesia for what the govt calls legal and user protection purposes before making their services available. Critics term the provision that requires registered PSEs to take down content deemed as "causing public unrest and disturbing public order" as a free speech restriction. The foundation said it had a "very constructive meeting" earlier in the week with the communication and digital affairs ministry, which gave "assurances that there would be no unlawful content takedown orders or data disclosure requirements that could put the Wikimedia community-led model at risk". The govt last week gave the foundation seven days to register or face its services, including Wikipedia Indonesia. The ministry did not respond to an AFP request for comment. End of Article
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Other foreign tech companies may seek similar agreements with Indonesian government
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific assurances did the ministry provide?
- How will the registration process work now?
- Will other tech companies seek similar compromises?