Russian tech company Yandex, known as a major competitor to Google, has expressed interest in investing in Indonesia, specifically in establishing a data center.
This announcement comes despite the platform’s recent close call with a potential ban by Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics, now known as the Ministry of Communication and Digital Application.
Speaking at The Tribrata in Jakarta, Deputy Minister of Communication Nezar Patria confirmed the interest, noting that Yandex representatives recently met with officials of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Application alongside a meeting with representatives from Microsoft.
“Yandex has shown an interest in developing infrastructure, such as a data center, as well as contributing to digital talent development and artificial intelligence (AI) advancement in Indonesia,” Nezar said, on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
However, Nezar underscored that Yandex would be required to adhere strictly to Indonesia’s regulatory standards, including those around content moderation.
Earlier this year, then Ministry of Communication and Informatics considered blocking Yandex after reports linked its platform to a case where two teenagers allegedly used Yandex to access prohibited content, influencing a tragic incident in Makassar.
Usman Kansong, the Director General of Public Information and Communication, reiterated that the Ministry of Communication and Informatics would take decisive action if Yandex does not comply with Indonesia’s digital regulations.
