Communication Ministry Responds to Possibility TikTok Closure
- Ist
Jakarta – The TikTok platform is threatened because run a social commerce business or combine its commerce platform with social media. Before, according to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki, TikTok could monopolize business.
Regarding the issue that TikTok will be closed, the Director General of Public Information and Communication of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kemenkominfo), Usman Kansong responded that there had been no discussion regarding this matter.
"There has been no discussion about it. But, we are discussing with platforms one by one related to elections, how to participate in peaceful elections," Kansong said in Jakarta on Friday.
He explained that the issue of platform closure needs further regulation. Regarding e-commerce, the matter is in the Ministry of Trade.
"There is no, for example, planning or discussion of closing the platform. What exists is further arrangements including the Regulation of the Minister of Trade,"
Furthermore, Kansong explained that platform blocking, closing, and downgrading are the Ministry of Communication and Information's business. However, their actions cannot be taken without recommendations.
Trade practices themselves are regulated by the Ministry of Trade. So, if there are platforms that violate the rules, Communication ministry will wait for recommendations from relevant ministries or institutions.
"We take steps, ranging from warnings, and blocking to fines that we are starting to revive. If you can't pay the fine, it can be replaced by imprisonment."
Kansong explained that everything related to e-commerce is the business of the Ministry of Trade. Therefore, the public must be smart in separating the duties of the Communication ministry and Trade Ministry.
"We must be careful in separating this, such as which tasks of the Communication Ministry, which Ministry of Trade, and which Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry are related to MSMEs. For example, for registration matters, platform licenses, obviously Communication Ministry. But if trade is the duty of the Ministry of Trade," he concluded.