Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) has stated that several game ratings displayed on the Steam platform are not official classifications issued through the Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS). The ministry said its monitoring indicates that the ratings currently visible on the platform appear to come from internal self‑declaration mechanisms rather than from the formal national verification process. The issue raises concerns about the accuracy of information provided to users and the protection of children in the digital environment.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, the ratings appearing on the platform have not undergone the official verification required under Indonesia’s game classification framework. Authorities warned that inaccurate labelling could mislead the public about the appropriate age suitability of games, potentially undermining broader policy efforts to strengthen online child safety in the country.
Concerns Over Unverified IGRS Labels
Kemkomdigi’s monitoring also identified indications that the IGRS label may have been applied within Steam’s internal processes without formal verification from the Indonesian authorities. As a result, the ministry said the displayed classifications may not represent legitimate outcomes of the national rating system.
“Rating yang beredar tersebut bukan merupakan hasil klasifikasi resmi IGRS. Hal ini berpotensi menimbulkan kesalahpahaman publik, terutama terkait kelayakan usia suatu gim,” — Sonny Hendra Sudaryana, Director of Digital Ecosystem Development, Directorate General of Digital Ecosystem
The ministry said such discrepancies could affect public understanding of age‑appropriate content and undermine safeguards designed to protect younger users online. Indonesia has been strengthening regulatory and literacy measures in recent years to improve the digital safety of children, including initiatives highlighted in efforts to advance online child safety through coordinated policy and public awareness programmes.
Regulatory Requirements for Digital Platforms
Kemkomdigi emphasised that digital service providers operating in Indonesia are required to present information that is accurate, clear and not misleading. These obligations are set out in several regulatory instruments governing electronic systems and digital content.
Relevant provisions include:
- Law No 1 of 2024 (revision to the Electronic Information and Transactions Law): establishes obligations related to protecting children within electronic systems.
- Ministerial Regulation No 2 of 2024 on Game Classification: requires official classification results to be displayed for games distributed in Indonesia.
- Ministerial Regulation No 5 of 2020 on Private Electronic System Operators: sets compliance responsibilities for digital platform providers.
Based on these provisions, the ministry believes there are indications that the ratings currently displayed may not align with Indonesia’s regulatory framework, particularly if unofficial ratings or unverified IGRS labels are presented to users.
Clarification Requested From Steam
Kemkomdigi said it will request formal clarification from Steam and hold further discussions to ensure the platform complies with national regulations governing digital services. Officials emphasised that the issue concerns both regulatory compliance and broader responsibilities to protect users.
“Kami meminta platform untuk memastikan bahwa setiap informasi yang ditampilkan kepada publik akurat dan dapat dipertanggungjawabkan. Ini bukan hanya soal kepatuhan, tetapi juga tanggung jawab dalam melindungi pengguna, khususnya anak-anak,” — Sonny Hendra Sudaryana, Director of Digital Ecosystem Development, Directorate General of Digital Ecosystem
If the evaluation process identifies regulatory breaches, the ministry said it may pursue administrative measures against non‑compliant electronic system operators in line with applicable legislation.
Strengthening Oversight of Game Classification
Alongside the investigation, Kemkomdigi said it is continuing to refine the IGRS framework, including strengthening verification and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that classifications are accurate and trustworthy. The ministry also noted that oversight of the digital environment requires cooperation between regulators, platforms and the public.
Members of the public are encouraged to consult official IGRS information and the ministry’s channels if they encounter inconsistencies in game ratings online. Authorities also invite feedback and reports through the IGRS helpdesk and official government platforms.
