In Short:
– Indonesia lifted TikTok’s suspension after it provided required protest-related data to the government.
– The incident underscores increasing tensions between Southeast Asian governments and tech companies over data transparency.

Indonesia has lifted TikTok’s operating license suspension on October 4, one day after imposing the penalty. The decision followed TikTok’s compliance with government demands for data related to protests in August.The rapid resolution illustrates rising tensions between Southeast Asian governments and global tech companies regarding data transparency during politically sensitive events.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs confirmed that TikTok submitted necessary data on livestream traffic and monetisation during the protests occurring between August 25 and 30, 2025. This submission occurred on the same day of the suspension announcement, restoring TikTok’s registration as an electronic system operator.

The suspension was initially triggered by TikTok’s partial data submission by a September 23 deadline, citing internal privacy constraints on full compliance.

Regulatory Context

The data dispute arose amid violent demonstrations in late August, protesting excessive lawmakers’ allowances and police brutality, particularly following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver on August 28. Authorities found accounts allegedly linked to illegal gambling using TikTok’s livestream feature, prompting TikTok to suspend this function temporarily.

The incident highlights Indonesia’s assertive stance on tech regulation, particularly given its significance as TikTok’s second-largest market globally. The platform has faced various regulatory challenges in Indonesia, including a recent $900,000 antitrust fine for late notification regarding its Tokopedia acquisition.

Despite the suspension, TikTok remained accessible throughout the regulatory process, stating its commitment to comply with local laws.