Kemkomdigi: PP Tunas Ensures Child Protection on E-Commerce Platforms

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Secretary of the Directorate General of Digital Space Supervision at the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi), Mediodecci Lustarini, stated that PP Tunas is designed to ensure that e-commerce platforms provide adequate protection for children in the digital realm. “PP Tunas does not impose bans or censorship on children, but rather provides provisions or obligations for electronic system operators to ensure they are accountable in providing protection for children,” said Mediodecci during a discussion in Central Jakarta on Thursday. She explained that this protection encompasses obligations for platforms to provide information on minimum user age limits, mechanisms for verifying children’s ages, and reporting mechanisms if misuse occurs that potentially violates children’s rights. According to her, PP Tunas also requires parental consent for children’s transactional activities on e-commerce platforms. “If a child makes a transaction, the parents must know and give their consent,” Mediodecci stated. In addition, platforms are required to implement high levels of privacy to protect children’s personal data, including providing notifications if the application uses location tracking services. “If the application has a location service (location tracking feature) and it is precise (accurate), it must inform users,” she said. Mediodecci added that e-commerce platforms must also ensure restrictions on access to certain products unsuitable for children, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco. “For example, purchasing tobacco or alcohol products is clear. Alcohol is for those aged 21 and above. Tobacco products must not even be sold on marketplaces,” she remarked. She further noted that PP Tunas prohibits platforms from profiling children, collecting precise geolocation without adequate protection, and encouraging children’s consumptive behaviour through personalised advertising. “There must be no personalised advertising. Children must not be targeted by ads,” she said. According to Mediodecci, these rules are crucial because children are considered not yet mature emotionally and cognitively in making decisions. “Even we adults can become impulsive buyers, let alone children who are not yet mature cognitively and emotionally,” she stated.