Observer: Reddit Must Register as PSE to Guarantee User Protection
Telecommunications observer Heru Sutadi believes that the obligation to register as an Electronic System Provider (PSE) for the online forum platform Reddit is essential to guarantee user protection following the renormalisation of the platform’s access in Indonesia.
“The primary benefit (of Reddit registering as a PSE) is increased protection for users. When a platform complies with Indonesian regulations, the public gains certainty regarding complaint mechanisms, the handling of illegal content, personal data protection, and coordination in the event of service misuse,” Herer said when contacted by ANTARA on Sunday.
According to him, PSE registration is important as it represents a form of accountability from the platform to both the state and its users.
“By being registered as a PSE, the government will have a clear communication channel if legal violations, personal data breaches, or public complaints occur,” he added.
The Executive Director of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Institute welcomed the restoration of Reddit’s access in Indonesia after it had been blocked by the government since 2015. He noted that this signifies that Reddit has complied with Indonesian regulations by adjusting the content circulating on its platform to meet applicable provisions.
On the other hand, he believes that such adjustments must maintain a balance between law enforcement and freedom of expression.
“The most important thing is for the platform to have a fast and transparent mechanism for handling illegal content, such as child pornography, online gambling, fraud, and other unlawful content, without hindering legitimate discussion or the exchange of information,” said Heru.
[The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs] granted approval for the renormalisation of access to reddit.com after an audience process and an investigation into compliance with applicable Indonesian regulations.
He explained that based on the Ministry’s investigation, Reddit has implemented geoblocking for the Indonesian region and has restricted access to or removed illegal content such as gambling, pornography, and other content that violates statutory regulations.
Following this renormalisation, it was noted that Reddit is required to register its entity as a Private Scope Electronic System Provider (PSE) and must continue to fulfil its compliance obligations under existing regulations.