Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in Indonesia is generally legal, as no specific laws exist that ban the technology itself. However, the government strictly regulates the internet through the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. This legislation grants authorities the power to monitor and penalize the distribution of "negative content," such as gambling and pornography. Organizations like Freedom House note that while the infrastructure is improving, the digital environment remains only partly free due to these regulatory restrictions (1).
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) plays a central role in enforcing these digital policies. To ensure compliance, the ministry requires electronic system operators to register and adhere to content moderation guidelines. Recent government actions have specifically targeted the use of tools that facilitate anonymity to access prohibited sites. In 2024, authorities announced stricter measures against free VPN services, citing their widespread use for bypassing censorship filters to access illegal content (2).
"As part of a crackdown on on-line anonymity, public access to free Virtual Private Networks (VPN), commonly used to hide a user's IP address and identity, will be limited, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) announced on July 31."
It is crucial for users to distinguish between the legality of the tool and the legality of the activity. While installing a VPN is permitted, using it to access blocked or illegal content falls under the purview of cybercrime regulations. Paid services often remain operational, but the government's focus on curbing "negative" internet traffic means that free and unregistered VPNs face a higher risk of being blocked or restricted within the country.
Source:
https://freedomhouse.org/country/indonesia/freedom-net/2024
https://amcham.or.id/news/detail/amcham-update-vol-5-78
Last updated: 11-01-2026 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
