Google parent company Alphabet finally complied with a licensing law in Indonesia which allows the government to censor content and demand citizen data, to enable it to continue operating in the country.
Upon registering for the license the Indonesian government is then able to compel companies to disclose data of individuals and demand the removal of content it deemed unlawful or disruptive to public order within hours or a day depending on urgency, reported Reuters.
The deadline was originally set for July 20 which Alphabet missed. Ecommerce platforms Amazon and Alibaba have yet to comply.
Other companies that have complied include Twitter, Zoom and Meta platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The rules were designed to provide a safe online environment, however, activist groups have hit out at the government, stating the rules were repressive of freedom of speech and expression.
Indonesia has 191 million internet users and its population is young, making it a fertile market for growth for technology companies.
