Indonesia summons Meta and Google: 'Do not enforce social ban for under 16s'

Indonesia has summoned technology giants Google and Meta for 'non-compliance' with the prohibition of access to social networks for children under 16, which came into force on Saturday. This was announced by Communications Minister Meutya Hafid, explaining that the government has sent letters of summons to the two companies as part of the application of administrative sanctions under the law, according to news agency France Presse.

"The government is sending summons letters" to Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Threads, and Google, the parent company of YouTube, who ""have violated Indonesian law," the minister said in a video posted on Instagram on Monday evening. According to Hafid, the summonses were issued 'as part of the enforcement of administrative sanctions, in accordance with the provisions in force'.

Indonesia has decided to ban access to social networks for children under the age of 16 from 28 March, justifying the measure with the risks of pornography, cyberbullying, online scams and internet addiction. The measure affects 70 million children and adolescents under the age of 16 out of a total population of 284 million.

Jakarta's decision is part of an international context of increasing pressure on digital platforms to restrict access for younger people. Australia, last December, became the first country to ban social networks for those under the age of 16. On Tuesday, the Australian regulator announced the opening of an investigation against several tech giants, including TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, accused of violating this rule.

In France, the issue is also at the centre of political debate. The French Senate is to debate today the ban on access to social networks for children under the age of 15, a measure supported by French President Emmanuel Macron.