APLIKATIF: Journal of Research Trends in Social Sciences and Humanities
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): APLIKATIF: Journal of Research Trends in Social Sciences and Humanities

Legal Protection Against Account Suspension for Digital Platform Workers: A Doctrinal and Empirical Study in Semarang, Indonesia

Nur Hidayati (Politeknik Negri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia)
Taufiq Yulianto (Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jul 2026

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the digital platform economy has transformed employment relationships in Indonesia and created new challenges for workers’ legal protection and platform governance. This study examines the legal protection available to digital platform workers against account suspension and analyzes the role of public policy in promoting fair and accountable platform governance. The study combined doctrinal legal research with an empirical qualitative approach. Relevant Indonesian legislation and legal principles were examined through statutory and conceptual analyses, while semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 purposively selected digital platform workers in Semarang, Indonesia. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Sixteen participants had personally experienced account suspension and reported immediate income loss, limited explanations for suspension decisions, and ineffective appeal mechanisms. The doctrinal analysis further indicates that existing Indonesian regulations provide only general legal safeguards and do not specifically regulate algorithm-based account suspension, mandatory explanations, meaningful human review, or standardized grievance procedures. The study concludes that fair platform governance requires clearer regulatory standards, transparent written explanations, accessible appeal mechanisms, and meaningful human review before permanent account suspension is imposed.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

aplikatif

Publisher

Subject

Arts Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

APLIKATIF: Journal of Research Trends in Social Sciences and Humanities seeks Review articles, Case reports and original contributions in the area of Social Science and Humanities. The Journal invites original Research Papers, Review articles, Technical or Case reports and Short communications that ...