After Instagram and Whatsapp, now it's ML and PUBG's turn threatened to be blocked

Not only will it block social media platforms, the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) announced that it will block game developers who have not registered as private Electronic System Operators (PSE), both domestically and abroad.

Reportedly, the game "Mobile Legend" or ML and "PlayerUnknown's Battleground" or PUBG.

Reporting from detikINET (30/6), the PSE registration deadline has actually been postponed several times, until the circular letter of the Minister of Communication and Informatics 3/2022 dated 14 July 2022 was signed, it was only agreed that the registration deadline would fall on 21 July.

Citing from detikINET (30/6), the PSE registration deadline has actually been postponed several times, until the circular letter of the Minister of Communication and Informatics 3/2022 dated 14 July 2022 was signed, it was only agreed that the registration deadline would fall on 21 July.

“After all, the requirements are the same, except for when it's differed. So, July 20, 2022 is the deadline, after July 21 (if you don't register, you will be blocked)," he said.

detikINET also reported that game products belonging to the developer Garena, such as Free Fire, Arena of Valor, and Call of Duty: Mobile, have registered. However, the names of games, such as Moonton and Tencent, have not been seen on the official PSE Kominfo website.

In addition, the games Genshin Impact, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Apex Legends Mobile, Roblox, Among Us, Lokapala have also not registered.

If the games above do not register until the specified deadline, they will be automatically blocked, even if they come from abroad. Semuel explained that PSE in any country must comply with the rules applied in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, according to information from the Public Relations Manager of PUBG Mobile Indonesia, Emil Riswandi explained, the company is in the process of registering. "We are coordinating internally to complete the registration process. Hopefully it can be completed in the near future," he told Katadata (30/6).

Overview of Permenkominfo 5/2020

Since its inception, this regulation has received a lot of negative comments, plus its ratification which seems rushed.

Safenet in an article written in February last year revealed that the implementation of this rule has the potential to hamper the freedom of expression of the public and the PSE itself.

Ika Ningtyas, Head of the Freedom of Expression Division at the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network, explained that her party is very concerned about this rule being misused to silence groups that criticize the government. This is because no independent body or institution has been established, such as a court under its supervision, so that its implementation has the potential to not take place in a transparent and fair manner.