Indonesia's Broadcasting Bill: Small Business Social Accounts Are Not Automatically Licensed
Indonesia's government signed its position paper on the Broadcasting Bill on 9 November 2026 and said personal accounts, creators and small businesses are not automatically treated as broadcasters. Here is what was said, what is undecided and which habits to keep.On Monday 9 November 2026, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Angga Raka Prabowo, signed the government's list of issues on the Broadcasting Bill at the ministry's office in Jakarta. According to InfoPublik, the government news service, he said personal social media accounts, family vlogs, content creators and micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) are not automatically treated as broadcasting that requires a licence from the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI).
For a business that sells through regular live streams or posts product videos, that is reassuring. Two words deserve a slow read, though: "bill" and "automatically". This is a draft, not a law, and "not automatically" is different from "never".
What the government said
All points come from InfoPublik's report dated 9 November 2026.
- The bill is the third amendment to Law Number 32 of 2002 on Broadcasting.
- The document signed is the Daftar Inventarisasi Masalah, or DIM: the government's item-by-item position on a bill, which it then takes into deliberation with parliament.
- Angga described the activity of personal accounts, family vlogs, creators and small businesses as part of citizens' right to expression.
- His words: "What we regulate here is the platform, the operator."
- The target is professional digital broadcasters. The examples given: a digital channel with an editorial structure, a broadcast schedule, large audience reach and a professional monetisation model. Such channels would be expected to follow broadcast content standards so that their responsibilities match those of conventional broadcasters.
- Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram remain under the electronic system operator regime overseen by the ministry.
- The government is encouraging platforms to apply age limits, age verification and algorithm transparency, with particular attention to children. The report also mentions cigarette advertising, which has time restrictions on television yet is still easy to find on some digital services.
What has not been decided
This part matters as much as the one above.
- It is the government's position, not the outcome. According to InfoPublik, the list was scheduled to go to the President on 10 November 2026 for forwarding to the House of Representatives (DPR). No timetable for deliberation is given.
- Angga himself said that signing the list does not mean every issue in the bill is resolved.
- The "professional" traits are spoken examples. There are no numbers: how many followers count as "large reach", or what income counts as "professional monetisation". The report contains no formal list of criteria.
- There is one source, and it is a government channel. We have not read the bill or the list itself.
For those reasons we do not write that selling accounts are "safe" or "licence-free". What can be said is this: under the Indonesia broadcasting bill creators and small sellers are, by the government's statement of 9 November 2026, not the intended target of the regulation.
Where your business sits
This is our reading, not a legal assessment. The four traits the government named can serve as a rough mirror:
| Trait named | A shop that goes live twice a week | A channel that should follow developments closely |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial structure | The owner and one administrator | A production team with someone responsible for content |
| Broadcast schedule | Live when new stock arrives | Daily programmes at fixed times |
| Audience reach | The shop's customers and followers | A very large general audience |
| Monetisation model | Selling its own products | Advertising, sponsorship or subscriptions as the main business |
If your business sits in the middle column, the government's statement points towards "you are not the target". If it already resembles the right-hand column, for example running a content channel with sponsors and a daily schedule, follow the parliamentary deliberation more carefully and consider asking a legal consultant as the text firms up.
Content habits worth keeping regardless
Whatever the outcome, the direction visible in the government's statement is responsibility for content and protection of children. Our advice below does not depend on the final wording of the law.
- Honest advertising. Do not promise effects, results or crossed-out prices that are not real. If content is paid for by another party, or you pay a creator, say that it is a partnership.
- Care with children. Ask a parent's permission before showing a customer's child. Do not aim promotions for adult products at young viewers.
- Regulated products. If you sell products whose advertising is restricted, check platform rules and the rules in force before going live.
- A simple archive. Keep a list of live dates, products offered and claims made. It is useful when a customer complains, whatever happens to any bill.
- Follow platform rules. YouTube, TikTok and Instagram have their own guidelines, and a breach there has consequences sooner than a law still under discussion.
What to watch
- News that parliament has received the list, and its deliberation schedule.
- Whether the "professional" traits become written criteria with numbers.
- Whether new duties on platforms affect the live or advertising features you use.
Checking once a month from official sources or mainstream media is enough. There is no need to change your live schedule because of one headline.
A busy live session is usually followed by a flood of messages. Polynusa's shared WhatsApp inbox, with AI reply drafts that staff approve before sending, helps a team answer without careless promises. Details are on the pricing page.
Note: this article summarises a government statement on a draft law and is not legal advice. For your own case, ask a legal consultant or the ministry.
Sources
- InfoPublik (Komdigi), 9 November 2026: Pemerintah Tegaskan RUU Penyiaran Tak Atur Akun Pribadi, Fokus pada Platform dan Konten Profesional
FAQ
Do small business selling accounts need a broadcast licence under Indonesia's bill?
According to InfoPublik, Deputy Minister Angga Raka Prabowo said personal social media accounts, family vlogs, content creators and small businesses are not automatically treated as broadcasting that needs a licence from the broadcasting commission. This is the government's position on a bill, not yet law.
Who is the digital broadcasting regulation aimed at?
The government names platforms and operators. The examples given for a professional operator are an editorial structure, a broadcast schedule, large audience reach and a professional monetisation model. These are examples, not numeric thresholds.
Is the Broadcasting Bill final?
No. The government's list of issues still has to be deliberated with parliament, and the deputy minister himself said signing it does not mean every issue is settled.