New regulations and revisions introduced in Indonesia this summer will likely have a devastating impact on freedom of expression for all Indonesians, experts say, with the country’s journalists facing distinct risks as a result.

In July, technology companies were required by the government to comply with new, strict licensing rules for technology platforms. These rules — called Ministerial Regulation 5, or MR5 — require tech companies to take down content deemed unlawful or that “disturbs public order” within four hours if urgent, and within 24 hours if not. 

Under these rules, technology companies are also required to release user data to the government upon request. 

“Ministerial Regulation 5 represents an attempt by the Indonesian government to hide one of the most repressive internet governance regimes in the world behind the veneer of the rule of law,” Michael Caster, Asia Digital Program Manager at the freedom of expression group Article 19, told me.