Ministry opens opportunity for Epic Games, Yahoo to communicate

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) admitted that online game platforms Epic Games and Origin, as well as Yahoo, have not yet communicate with the ministry.

The ministry's Director General of Informatics Applications Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan said that they were among operators of online platforms blocked due to non-compliance to electronic system provider (PSE) registration requirements, whereas the ministry has opened communication with them.

"We still open the opportunity to welcome them to be a part of our digital ecosystem," he stated in a virtual press conference, Sunday..

"Opportunities are always open for anyone wanting to be part of Indonesia's digital ecosystem, either domestic or foreign (platforms)," he noted.

He pointed out that operators of online game platforms Steam, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike Global Offensive -- blocked since July 29 -- are the three platforms that have engaged in communication with the ministry.

The three platforms have begun their registration process as foreign PSEs in Indonesia, the official noted.

"Hopefully they could fulfil (the service requirement) soon, and residents who use their service can again access the service," Pangerapan said.

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Pangerapan then confirmed that the authority has temporarily unblocked the online payment platform PayPal to respond to the grievances of residents who could not access their money from the platform.

The platform will be unblocked until August 5 at 11:59 p.m. local time (UTC +7), he said, while suggesting residents utilise the opportunity to withdraw their funds from PayPal to other financial platforms.

Moreover, he clarified that the online advertising and analytics platform Xandr could be unblocked as the platform is not among the platform required to register.

As of today, the ministry has still blocked six electronic service providers of Yahoo Search, Steam, Dota 2, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Epic Games, and Origin due to non-compliance with the ministerial regulation.

Per July 31, some 9,039 online platforms registered by 5,453 electronic service providers have been registered in the ministry's system.

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