Cultural restrictions will tighten in South-east Asia

Significance

The code bans sex outside marriage, cohabitation between unmarried couples and “humiliation” of the government. It prohibits online insults to the president and other state authorities.

Impacts

• Social media, which have active user engagement, face more business risks from cultural laws than online streaming services.
• Content on sensitive issues such as corruption in Indonesia or Thai monarchy could trigger a government backlash against online platforms.
• Hard-line religious groups will monitor social media, particularly those that attract younger users, for violations of customary norms.
• The risk of protests against Western digital firms on content issues is higher in South Asia than in South-east Asia.