Influencers Press Release

Indonesia reviews China-style certification rule for influencers

• ByStartupStory     |    November 4, 2025

Indonesia Reviewing China-Style Certification Rules for Influencers to Ensure Digital Content Credibility

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kemkominfo) is currently reviewing China’s recently introduced influencer certification regulations, which require content creators to possess formal qualifications such as university degrees or professional certifications before discussing specialized topics online. This move by Indonesia comes as authorities seek ways to balance freedom of expression with combating misinformation and maintaining a healthy digital ecosystem.

China’s policy, implemented in October 2025, mandates leading social media platforms like Douyin, Weibo, and Bilibili to verify the credentials of influencers sharing content in sectors deemed vulnerable to misinformation, including finance, medicine, law, education, and healthcare. Failure to comply risks substantial fines and account suspensions. The regulation aims to curb dangerous misinformation and promote reliable online communication but has also raised concerns about potential overreach, creative freedom restrictions, and increased government control.

Indonesian digital regulators are monitoring this initiative closely and assessing whether a similar certification framework would be suitable for their market. Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto, head of human resources development at Kemkominfo, emphasized that Indonesia has yet to decide on implementing comparable rules but is engaging stakeholders and analyzing implications thoughtfully. He underlined the importance of ensuring quality content without imposing overly restrictive measures, suggesting that any certification approach might need to target specific content categories or creator levels.

Indonesia’s earlier adoption of Australia-inspired regulations to safeguard minors online through Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 signals its proactive stance in digital governance. The review of China’s influencer certification policy is part of broader efforts to strike a balance between control and openness in the digital sphere amid rapid social media growth.

In conclusion, Indonesia’s government is carefully considering the adaptation of China-style influencer certification rules to maintain digital content integrity while preserving freedom of expression. This reflective approach reflects Indonesia’s ongoing commitment to evolving its digital policy framework in an inclusive, measured manner to safeguard public trust and the online information environment.

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