Observer: Reddit Must Register as PSE to Guarantee User Protection

Jakarta - Telecommunications observer Heru Sutadi believes that the obligation for the online forum platform Reddit to register as an Electronic System Operator (PSE) is important to guarantee user protection after access to the platform was normalised again in Indonesia. “The main benefit (of Reddit registering as a PSE) is increased protection for users. When a platform complies with Indonesian regulations, the public has certainty regarding complaint mechanisms, handling of illegal content, personal data protection, and coordination in the event of service misuse,” Heru said when contacted on Sunday. According to him, PSE registration is important because it is a form of platform accountability to the state and users. “By being registered as a PSE, the government has a clear communication channel if there are legal violations, personal data protection issues, or complaints from the public,” he said. The Executive Director of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Institute welcomed the normalisation of Reddit access in Indonesia after it had been blocked by the government since 2015. He said this signalled that Reddit had complied with regulations in Indonesia by adjusting the content circulating on its platform according to applicable provisions. On the other hand, he viewed that these adjustments must also maintain a balance between law enforcement and freedom of expression. “The most important thing is how the platform has a fast and transparent mechanism for handling illegal content, such as child pornography, online gambling, fraud, and content that violates the law, without hindering legitimate discussion or information exchange,” Heru said. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs gave approval for the normalisation of access to reddit.com after going through an audience process and an investigation into the fulfilment of applicable regulatory provisions in Indonesia. Based on the ministry’s investigation, Reddit has implemented geoblocking for the Indonesian territory and restricted access or removed illegal content such as gambling, pornography, and other content that violates laws and regulations. Following normalisation, Reddit is required to register its entity as a Private Electronic System Operator (PSE) and continue to fulfil compliance obligations with applicable regulations.