IGRS labeling on Steam is considered misleading, KOMDIGI: Not an official rating!
The implementation of the Indonesian Game Rating System (IGRS) age labeling on the digital game distribution platform Steam has recently sparked a wave of protests, particularly from the gaming community in Indonesia. Many users have highlighted the discrepancies between the age labels displayed and the actual game content.
In several social media posts, a number of games with elements of violence and adult scenes received a 3+ rating. In contrast, there are also child-friendly games that have been labeled 18+. This oddity is considered confusing and potentially misleading, especially for parents who rely on the IGRS label to monitor the suitability of content for their children.
In response to the controversy, the Ministry of Communication and Digital (KOMDIGI) has finally spoken out. The government emphasized that the IGRS label currently appearing on Steam is not an official classification that has been verified by the authorities.
The Director of Digital Ecosystem Development at the Directorate General of Digital Ecosystem explained that the labels circulating at the moment originate from the platform's internal mechanism in the form of self-declaration from the game developers or the platform itself.
"The circulating rating is not the result of official IGRS classification. This has the potential to cause public misunderstanding, especially regarding the age suitability of a game," said KOMDIGI's official statement.
According to KOMDIGI, the national IGRS system requires a specific verification process before a game receives an official classification. Therefore, using labels without going through the proper mechanisms is deemed not to reflect accurate classification results.
Potential Violation of Regulations
KOMDIGI also highlighted indications of discrepancies between the rating information displayed on Steam and the regulations applicable in Indonesia. Every digital business operator, including global platforms, is required to provide accurate, clear, and not misleading information.
The display of the IGRS label without official verification is considered potentially confusing to the public and impacts parental decisions in monitoring children's gaming activities.
KOMDIGI Will Request Clarification from Steam
As a follow-up step, KOMDIGI stated that it will soon request official clarification from Steam, operated by Valve Corporation. The government will also conduct further discussions to ensure that this global platform complies with national regulations.
If any violations are found after the evaluation process, KOMDIGI does not rule out the possibility of taking administrative steps in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. On the other hand, the government continues to improve the IGRS system, including strengthening verification and monitoring mechanisms to be more accurate and reliable.
