PayPal Unblocked For Five Days Following Backlash

The Indonesian government has allowed access to PayPal for five days as users rush to access their funds.


FILE PHOTO: The PayPal app logo seen on a mobile phone in this illustration photo October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration//File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The PayPal app logo seen on a mobile phone in this illustration photo October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration//File Photo/File Photo
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LONDON (Bywire News) - Following a public backlash, PayPal has been temporarily unblocked in Indonesia having initially been suspended giving users a chance to access a range of online services including games. 

The Indonesian communication ministry on Saturday blocked PayPal, Yahoo and other gaming services for failing to meet deadlines for the new licensing rules. 

Rules released in November 2020, require companies to register with the government. Authorities have the power to compel platforms to disclose data of certain users as well as take down unlawful content that “disturbs public order”.

Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, a senior official at Indonesia’s communications ministry, added during an online briefing on Sunday that the government is opening access to PayPal for five working days.

"Hopefully that is enough time for users to migrate, get their money and find other services," he added, in response to the lack of communication yet from PayPal.

On Saturday, thousands of comments flooded an Instagram post by the Communication Ministry critiquing the government’s blockage of unregistered digital services. 

Some comments argued that the move was damaging Indonesia’s online gaming and freelance industry that relies on PayPal. The move has also been criticised for attempting to crack down on freedom of speech and privacy.

In defence of the measure, Semuel said the government was aiming to protect Indonesian internet users and their digital ecosystem. He added that the authorities will indeed unlock the websites if they comply with registration rules. 

He added that gaming services including Steam, Dota and Counter-Strike have been in contact with the government. PayPal and Valve Corporation did not respond to emails seeking comment. 

(Writing by Samba Jallow, editing by Tom Cropper and Klaudia Fior)

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