Indonesia protests: TikTok suspends its Live feature nationwide

TikTok has temporarily suspended its livestreaming feature in Indonesia following a rise in violence during recent protests.

The company said the move aims to maintain safety on its platform as demonstrations have led to unrest and the spread of related content online.

According to TikTok, the livestream feature will be unavailable for several days while the company also removes content that violates community guidelines and continues to monitor the situation.

Some users in Indonesia reported losing access to TikTok Live on the evening of August 30, 2025.

🔗 Source: Kumparan

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Platforms increasingly take preemptive action during political unrest

TikTok’s voluntary suspension of live features reflects a growing trend of social media platforms proactively moderating content during periods of political tension.

Just three days before TikTok’s decision, Indonesia’s Communications Ministry had summoned representatives from TikTok and Meta to discuss removing disinformation and provocative content related to recent protests1.

The government specifically demanded removal of AI-generated content that incited the August 25 protests, emphasizing that platforms should have systems to detect and remove inauthentic accounts without waiting for official requests2.

The approach demonstrates how platforms now balance real-time information sharing against potential offline violence, particularly when governments explicitly pressure them to act quickly during volatile periods.

2️⃣ Live streaming creates unique challenges for content moderation during protests

TikTok’s specific targeting of live features highlights the distinct risks real-time broadcasting poses during civil unrest compared to pre-recorded content.

Live streams cannot be pre-screened for harmful content and provide immediate, unfiltered access to developing situations that could escalate tensions or coordinate dangerous activities.

This creates a complex dynamic where live streaming simultaneously serves as a tool for documenting police misconduct and organizing legitimate protest activities, while also potentially facilitating coordination of violence or spreading misinformation during chaotic situations.

The temporary nature of TikTok’s suspension suggests platforms are developing more nuanced responses that can preserve the democratic value of real-time documentation while minimizing immediate harm during peak tension periods.