Annisa Febiola, Jakarta – Indonesian Communication and Digital (Komdigi) Minister Meutya Hafid has firmly denied any government plan to restrict internet-based voice and video call services, including Voice over IP (VoIP) like WhatsApp Call. According to Meutya, the circulating information on this matter is misleading.
"I emphasize that the government is not designing or considering restrictions on WhatsApp Call. The circulating information is untrue and misleading," she said in a written release on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Meutya clarified that the Komdigi Ministry did receive proposals from various groups, such as the All-Indonesian Telecommunications Service Providers Association (ATSI) and the Indonesian Telematics Society (Mastel). These groups shared their perspectives on regulating the digital ecosystem, including the relationship between over-the-top (OTT) service providers and network operators.
However, she stressed that these proposals have never been discussed in any policy forum nor included in the ministry's official agenda. "I apologize if there is unrest in the community," said the Golkar Party politician.
Meutya has directed relevant authorities to immediately clarify the issue internally and to ensure no policies are introduced that aim to restrict digital services.
She added that her ministry is currently focused on national priority agendas, ranging from expanding internet access in remote areas and increasing digital literacy to strengthening security and data protection in the digital space.
Previously, the telecommunication company PT Jasnita Telekomindo Tbk. (JAST) responded to what it believed was a government plan to restrict VoIP services in Indonesia. VoIP is a technology that facilitates voice and multimedia calls over the internet, rather than through traditional telephone lines or the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
JAST Corporate Secretary Nathania Olinda said that the company was prepared to participate in such a policy. "With more than 25 years of experience in VoIP and cloud communication technology, PT Jasnita Telekomindo Tbk. welcomes and is ready to actively support the implementation of this policy," she said in a disclosure to the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Nathania explained that this regulation aimed to limit the number of licensed VoIP providers, requiring unlicensed providers to cease their services. She also highlighted that the regulation emphasized the importance of licensing, as stipulated in Law No. 36 of 1999 and the Komdigi Ministerial Regulation No. 13 of 2019 and its revisions.
Therefore, Nathania concluded that the primary purpose of this regulation was to maintain order in the telecommunications market, protect consumer rights, and ensure the security and quality of national communication services.
"The government emphasizes that this regulation aims to ensure that only service providers that meet technical, security, and legal standards can operate," she said.
– Adil Al Hasan contributed to this report
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2030224/komdigi-ministry-dispels-whatsapp-call-restriction-rumor