In a high-level diplomatic and regulatory engagement held in New York, United States, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, formally urged Meta Platforms, Inc. to accelerate the deactivation of accounts belonging to underage users. This directive marks a significant escalation in the Indonesian government’s efforts to enforce the recently enacted Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas), which mandates strict oversight of electronic systems to ensure the safety and protection of minors in the digital sphere.
The meeting, which included key Meta executives—specifically Vice President and Head of Global Public Policy Kevin J. Martin and Vice President and Global Head of Safety Antigone Davis—served as a critical platform for the Indonesian government to convey its expectations regarding digital safety standards. Minister Hafid emphasized that given Meta’s massive footprint and influence within Indonesia, the company bears a profound responsibility to align its operational practices with the local legal framework designed to shield children from online harms, ranging from predatory behavior to exposure to age-inappropriate content.
The Regulatory Landscape: PP Tunas and Digital Governance
The Indonesian government’s firm stance is rooted in the implementation of Government Regulation (PP) Number 17 of 2025, concerning the Governance of Electronic Systems for Child Protection, commonly referred to as "PP Tunas." This regulation was introduced as a comprehensive response to the increasing concerns regarding the vulnerability of children on social media platforms. The regulation mandates that digital platforms operating in Indonesia implement rigorous age verification protocols, transparent reporting mechanisms, and proactive content moderation to identify and deactivate accounts held by individuals under the legally protected age thresholds.
Accompanying this mandate is the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) Regulation Number 9 of 2026, which outlines the specific execution steps for platforms. During the discussion in New York, Minister Hafid highlighted that while the initial efforts of Meta are noted, the pace of compliance must be synchronized with the urgency of child protection. The minister explicitly called for a clear, time-bound roadmap for the deactivation of accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 across Meta’s primary platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Chronology of Enforcement and Initial Compliance
The push for stricter controls did not emerge in a vacuum. Throughout the first half of 2026, the Indonesian government maintained consistent pressure on digital service providers to bolster their safety infrastructure. According to internal data provided by Meta during the consultation, the platform has already initiated localized measures to align with the new regulatory environment.
Between March 28, 2026, and May 27, 2026, Meta reported the removal of approximately 184,000 accounts belonging to users under the age of 13. This figure comprised 85,000 Instagram accounts and 99,000 Facebook accounts. While these numbers indicate a proactive start, Minister Hafid argued that the scale of the challenge remains significant. The ministry’s request for an accelerated plan suggests that the government views these figures as a starting point rather than a satisfactory conclusion to the mandate.
The timeline of this regulatory journey underscores the government’s systematic approach:
- Early 2025: Initial drafting and discourse surrounding the necessity of a dedicated regulation for child digital protection.
- Mid-2025: Formal enactment of PP 17/2025 (PP Tunas) setting the legal basis for digital safety.
- Early 2026: Drafting and socialization of Permenkomdigi 9/2026 to provide technical guidance to companies.
- March–May 2026: Initial compliance phase where Meta reported the removal of 184,000 underage accounts.
- September 2026: Formal meeting in New York to demand an accelerated timeline and more robust age-verification technologies.
The Technical and Ethical Imperative
The core of the ministry’s demand revolves around four pillars: stricter age controls, safer product design, consistent enforcement, and measurable periodic reporting. Minister Hafid expressed that the government is no longer content with reactive measures; instead, it demands that safety be "baked into" the product architecture.
From a policy analysis perspective, the demand for "safer product design" implies that Meta must reconsider features that contribute to excessive screen time, social comparison, and the ease with which minors can bypass age gates. Critics of social media have long argued that platforms often prioritize user engagement over safety. By enforcing these regulations, Indonesia is signaling that the domestic market will not tolerate business models that compromise the developmental wellbeing of its youth.
The call for "periodic, measurable reporting" also indicates a shift toward a data-driven regulatory relationship. The Ministry of Communication and Digital intends to monitor the effectiveness of Meta’s compliance through consistent audits, ensuring that the company’s internal safety metrics align with government-verified outcomes.
Broader Implications: Gambling and Digital Safety
Beyond the immediate scope of child protection, the meeting also touched upon broader issues of digital hygiene, including the government’s ongoing campaign against online gambling (judol). While the primary focus was on minors, the discourse surrounding "responsive action" from platforms like Meta suggests a wider expectation for cooperation in policing illicit content.
The Indonesian government has identified online gambling as a major threat to social and economic stability, particularly among the lower-income and younger demographics. The pressure exerted on Meta to be "responsive" suggests that the Ministry of Communication and Digital expects a seamless integration between its enforcement agencies and the platform’s moderation tools. If a platform is capable of identifying and removing accounts of children under 13, the ministry argues that the same technical prowess should be applied to identifying and eradicating illegal gambling content, which often leverages similar algorithmic reach to target users.
Industry and Stakeholder Perspectives
While the official statement from the Ministry highlights the firm stance of the government, industry observers note that the implementation of such regulations presents significant technical challenges for global technology companies. Age verification, for instance, remains a complex issue globally, often pitting the need for strict compliance against user privacy concerns and the technical difficulty of verifying a user’s identity without invasive data collection.
However, the consensus among child safety advocates in Indonesia is that the government’s approach is a necessary intervention. Organizations focused on digital rights and child protection have frequently lauded the Ministry of Communication and Digital for its proactive stance, suggesting that Indonesia is positioning itself as a leader in the Global South regarding digital regulation.
Future Outlook and Strategic Objectives
The meeting between Minister Hafid and the Meta delegation concludes with a clear roadmap for the remainder of 2026 and heading into 2027. The Indonesian government expects a comprehensive update on the "accelerated plan" for the deactivation of accounts for users under 16. This age threshold is of particular significance, as it aligns with broader global debates regarding the developmental risks associated with social media usage among teenagers.
Moving forward, the success of this initiative will be measured not only by the number of accounts closed but by the structural changes in how these platforms function within the Indonesian market. The Ministry of Communication and Digital has made it clear that the "tanggung jawab" (responsibility) of these platforms is commensurate with their market size. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the Indonesian government is establishing a precedent that international technology giants must respect local statutes, particularly those concerning the most vulnerable segments of the population.
In conclusion, the engagement in New York represents a defining moment in the digital governance of Indonesia. By successfully bridging the gap between national regulatory aspirations and the operational realities of global tech platforms, the Ministry of Communication and Digital is setting a new standard for digital accountability. The pressure on Meta to act is a clear indicator that the era of self-regulation for large social media platforms is nearing its end in Indonesia, replaced by a robust, law-enforced framework aimed at ensuring that the digital future is safe, secure, and beneficial for the nation’s youth. The coming months will be critical as the ministry monitors the progress of these initiatives and assesses whether the collaborative approach taken with Meta will yield the systemic improvements envisioned by the government.
