Google Violates Indonesian Law, Expert Suggests Slowing Down YouTube

Social media platforms operating in Indonesia face access restrictions for children under 16, as outlined in PP Tunas. Prior to this regulation, several social media platforms had various features claimed to protect children on their platforms.

Cybersecurity expert from Vaksincom, Alfons Tanujaya, stated that these features could help. However, he cautioned that there is no mechanism to control their implementation.

“Restrictions for children can help but do not guarantee. And there is no control mechanism for its implementation,” Alfons told CNBC Indonesia on Thursday (9/4/2026).

PP Tunas has been in effect for two weeks since its official implementation on 28 March 2026. Alfons said it is still too early to assess the overall implementation of PP Tunas.

He highlighted X and BigoLive, which have complied with the rules. He described this step as good and necessary to ensure it is carried out consistently.

Meanwhile, Google and Meta platforms did not immediately follow Indonesia’s rules. According to him, Komdigi must address this with strategic steps.

“As for Google, Meta, TikTok, or other large platforms, they need to be addressed strategically, such as giving priority access and faster connections to compliant platforms compared to non-compliant ones. For example, if X is compliant, let it have the toll road, and slow down access to Threads so people have difficulty accessing it and switch to X,” he explained.

With this strategy, platforms might fear changes like a decline in user experience. Ultimately, it would impact a decrease in the number of users.

“Over time, they will fear a drop in users and comply with the rules,” he added.

On Thursday (9/4/2026), Komdigi announced that Meta will comply with the rules in PP Tunas by limiting the age of account owners on Threads, Facebook, and Instagram. Meanwhile, Google has not yet stated that it will implement access restriction rules on YouTube.