Jakarta. Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said the government has no plans to restrict internet-based voice and video calling services, including WhatsApp Call, following public concern sparked by misleading reports.

“I want to clarify that the government is neither designing nor considering any restriction on WhatsApp calls. The circulating information is false and misleading,” Meutya said in a statement in Jakarta recently.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, which allow users to make calls over the internet rather than through traditional phone networks, have become increasingly popular worldwide, including in Indonesia, as internet access improves. Popular VoIP services in the country include Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, LINE Call, and WhatsApp Call.

Meutya explained that while the Ministry had received input from industry associations such as the Indonesian Telecommunication Providers Association (ATSI) and the Indonesian Telematics Society (Mastel) regarding the digital ecosystem, including the relationship between over-the-top (OTT) service providers and network operators, these discussions had not advanced to any policy-making forums.

“These proposals have never been discussed at the policy level and have not been part of the ministry’s official agenda,” she said.

The discussions around regulating VoIP services emerged amid concerns from the Ministry’s Directorate of Digital Infrastructure Strategy and Policy that while mobile operators have invested heavily in building internet networks across Indonesia, platforms like WhatsApp and other applications have not contributed to this infrastructure development.

“The intention behind discussions on regulating services like WhatsApp calls is to create a mutually beneficial system. Currently, OTT players are not contributing, while mobile operators are the ones making heavy investments to build the networks,” said Denny Setiawan, the Ministry’s Director of Digital Infrastructure Strategy and Policy, as quoted by Detikcom on Friday.

Looking ahead, Meutya said the Ministry will continue to focus on national priority programs, including expanding internet access in underserved regions, increasing digital literacy, and strengthening cybersecurity and data protection in the digital space.

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