Indonesia Threatens to Block Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons Over Failure to Register

The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has taken a firm stance, issuing a final ultimatum to the Wikimedia Foundation to comply with national regulations by registering as a private Electronic System Provider (PSE). This directive, which also applies to all Wikimedia subsidiaries operating within Indonesia, underscores the government's commitment to ensuring digital platforms adhere to Indonesian law. The potential blocking of Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, invaluable resources for information and education, would represent a significant loss for Indonesian users and a stark illustration of the consequences of non-compliance.

“

If Wikimedia does not register as a PSE within seven working days in accordance with the prevailing law, the government will block all Wikimedia services, including the online encyclopedia Wikipedia Indonesia and Wikimedia Commons.

Director General of Digital Space Supervision, Alexander Sabar, stated that Komdigi has already extended deadlines multiple times at Wikimedia's request since last year. Despite repeated notifications and even a limited blocking of the auth.wikimedia.org link in late February, Wikimedia has failed to complete the registration process. The foundation's claim of lacking a representative in Indonesia was met with a final seven-day extension, starting April 15, 2026. Komdigi emphasizes that this registration is not a financial burden, as it is free of charge and applied equally to all platforms, regardless of their profit status.

“

It is not without reason that Kemkomdigi issued this ultimatum. Because Kemkomdigi has provided an extension at Wikimedia's request since last year.

The PSE registration is a critical requirement for all digital platforms operating in Indonesia, serving to legitimize their operations, protect user data, and ensure proper governance of the digital space. Failure to comply, as stipulated in the Ministry of Communication and Information Regulation No. 5 of 2020, can result in escalating sanctions, from written warnings to outright service suspension. Komdigi's resolute action signals that Indonesia is serious about regulating its digital landscape, prioritizing legal compliance and user protection above all else. The ball is now in Wikimedia's court to meet these requirements and avoid a disruptive blockade.

“

If there is still no compliance with Indonesian law, then we will take firm action in the form of blocking.