Indonesia temporarily freezes World's license due to suspected electronic system regulation violations, increasing global legal pressure on the project.
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology (Kominfo) has just made a decision to temporarily freeze the Electronic System Organization (TDPSE) license for World and World ID services, marking another legal obstacle for this controversial project. The decision was made after authorities received reports from citizens about suspicious activities in the Indonesian market.
Serious Violations of Registration and Operation Regulations
Alexander Sabar, Director General of the Digital Space Supervision Directorate of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology, confirmed that this is a preventive measure to minimize risks for the community. According to preliminary investigations, PT. Terang Bulan Abadi - the entity believed to directly operate World's activities in Indonesia - not only lacks the mandatory TDPSE permit but also uses a license registered under another legal entity, PT. Sandina Abadi Nusantara.
"Failure to comply with registration obligations and using another legal entity's name to provide digital services is a serious violation," Mr. Sabar emphasized. Both related legal entities will be summoned to clarify the matter in the coming period.
Indonesia is currently applying Government Decree No. 71 of 2019 and Ministry of Communication and Information Circular No. 10 of 2021, which clearly stipulate that all digital service providers must legally register. This is part of the government's efforts to monitor and protect the national digital space.
The legal issues with World in Indonesia are part of a broader picture of challenges the project is facing globally. In Europe, countries like France and Germany are investigating the legality and safety of biometric data collection. The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is also reviewing compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Kenya suspended all World activities since August 2023 due to data privacy concerns, and this suspension remains in effect while the investigation process continues. In the United States, although there is no nationwide ban, the method of collecting biometric data combined with cryptocurrency distribution is raising concerns among legislators and privacy protection organizations.
Mr. Sabar reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to monitoring the digital ecosystem fairly and firmly, while emphasizing the importance of proactive roles from citizens in reporting unauthorized or suspicious digital services.
