Legal Implications of Digital Platform Models: Regulatory Approaches to Consumer Protection, Data, and Competition for Start-up Sustainability
Keywords:
digital platform, regulatory framework, consumer protection, data governance, competition law, start-up compliance, legal innovationAbstract
This paper investigates the complex relationship between legal frameworks and the sustainability of digital platform business models, with a focus on application-driven start-ups in emerging digital economies. By employing a qualitative literature study and thematic synthesis, the research dissects how statutes addressing consumer protection, personal data management, and competition law affect the operational certainty and continuity of digital enterprises. Findings reveal that most legal systems are still evolving, struggling to reconcile the unique characteristics of digital commerce with outmoded legal paradigms and fragmented regulatory oversight. Inadequate harmonization, resource scarcity, and gaps in institutional capacity further exacerbate these issues, imposing substantial burdens on start-up compliance and inhibiting technological innovation. The research demonstrates that sustainable solutions require not only legislative renewal and harmonization but also active collaboration between stakeholders, ongoing capacity building, and adaptive regulatory innovation. Recommendations include modular reforms, increased emphasis on technology-driven oversight, stakeholder-inclusive policy processes, and development of regulatory sandboxes to bridge the gap between innovation and public interest. The outcomes highlight the necessity for flexible, knowledge-based, and principle-driven governance structures that support both entrepreneurial dynamism and societal protection in the rapidly shifting digital economy
References
Aditama, R., Mega, W., Damayanti, A. P., & Santoso, A. P. A. 2025. Hukum Bisnis sebagai Instrumen Penguatan Ekosistem Usaha dan Stabilitas Ekonomi. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Hukum, Bisnis, Sains dan Teknologi, 5(1), 142–148.
Ali, E. M., F. Dirgantara, & D. Darmawan. 2024. Legal Protection of Consumers in Online Transactions: A Case Study of Online Fraud in Indonesia, International Journal of Service Science, Management, Engineering, and Technology, 6(3), 27 –38.
Aziz, A., Darmawan, D., Khayru, R. K., Wibowo, A. S., & Mujito. 2023. Effectiveness of Personal Data Protection Regulation in Indonesia’s Fintech Sector. Journal of Social Science Studies, 3(1), 23–28.
Baraja, M. U., Saputra, R., Saktiawan, P., Dirgantara, F., & Waskito, S. 2023. Implementation and Supervision of Personal Data Protection Law on Online Platforms. Journal of Social Science Studies, 3(1), 101–108.
Centrinova, A. R., Hidayat, I. F., Nailah, F. K., & Pradnyandari, I. A. P. R. 2025. Analisis Dampak Permasalahan Hukum Investree terhadap Ekosistem Startup Digital di Indonesia. Journal of Management, Accounting, and Administration, 2(1), 31–40.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. 2018. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches (4th ed.). Sage.
Dalimunthe, N., Hayati, P., Syahfitri, E. N., Khoiri, A., Tanjung, N. A., Sari, N., Wahyuni, A., & Hamidah, N. 2025. Pengaruh Teknologi Digital terhadap Hukum Bisnis: Tantangan dan Peluang. JSE: Jurnal Sharia Economica, 4(3), 148–157. https://doi.org/10.46773/jse.v4i3.2147
Darmawan, D, C, N. Mendonca, & A. de Jesus Isaac. 2022. Managing Corporate Reputation in the Digital Age: Challenges and Solutions for Maintaining a Positive Image on Social Media, Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(1), 283 – 288.
Dewi, D. K., & Mahuli, J. I. 2025. Perlindungan Hukum terhadap Konsumen di Era Ekonomi Digital: Analisis terhadap Tanggung Jawab Pelaku Usaha Platform E-Commerce. All Fields of Science Journal Liaison Academia and Sosiety, 5(2), 48–60. https://doi.org/10.58939/afosj-las.v5i2.1028
Faridi, F., Darmawan, D., Hardyansah, R., Putra, A. R., & Wibowo, A. S. 2023. Legal Protection for Online-Based Lending Consumers. International Journal of Service Science, Management, Engineering, and Technology, 4(2), 34–38.
Fitrotinisak, I. K., Mardikaningsih, R., Gautama, E. C., Sulani, S., & Vitrianingsih, Y. 2023. Legal Compliance for Consumers in Dealing with Cases of Account Tampering in Digital Banking Services. Journal of Social Science Studies, 3(1), 75–82.
Hutabarat, M. K., Tambunan, D. C. S., Sitorus, N., & Tambunan, T. S. 2025. Implikasi Hukum Penutupan TikTok Shop terhadap Regulasi Hukum Bisnis di Indonesia. Jurnal Pesona Indonesia, 2(3), 7–12.
Infante, A. & R. Mardikaningsih. 2022. The Potential of social media as a Means of Online Business Promotion, Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(2), 45-49.
Issalillah, F, & R. K. Khayru. 2024. The Digital Capacity Gap, Misinformation, and Behavioral Dynamics in Online Medical Information Searches. Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 5(2), 21-32.
Karar, F., Handayani, U. J., Putri, D. A., & Handayani, S. 2025. Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Pelaku UMKM dalam Kontrak Bisnis Digital. Eksekusi : Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Administrasi Negara, 3(2), 139–152.
Maspul, K. A., & Ardhin, M. 2025. Network Effects and Trust in Malaysia’s Platform Economy. Journal of Business Management, 2(3), 88–99.
Negara, D.S. & D. Darmawan. 2023. Digital Empowerment: Ensuring Legal Protections for Online Arisan Engagements. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 2(2), 13-19.
Ningsih, N. H. I., Misnawati, Sakti, M., Ordiyasa, I. W., Solihin, D., Batari, H. F., Primasari, N. S., & Akhyar, C. F. 2025. Hukum Ekonomi Digital: Regulasi Bisnis di Era Teknologi. PT. Nawala Gama Education.
Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. 2017. Thematic Analysis: Striving to Meet the Trustworthiness Criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1609406917733847. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
Peukert, C., & Windisch, M. 2025. The Economics of Copyright in the Digital Age. Journal of Economic Surveys, 39(3), 877–903. https://doi.org/10.1111/joes.12632
Rusianto, R., Hardyansah, R., & Darmawan, D. 2023. Application of the Elements of Money Laundering Crime in Indonesian Jurisprudence. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 2(3), 44–50.
Sari, A. K. 2025. Kebijakan Hukum Perlindungan Konsumen terhadap Kebocoran Data di Platform Fintech. Judge : Jurnal Hukum, 6(2), 354–361.
Schmitt, N. M., Fuchs, A., & Kirch, W. 2008. Mental Health Disorders and Work-Life Balance. In A. Linos & W. Kirch (Eds.), Promoting Health for Working Women (pp. 117–136). Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73038-7_4
Silverman, D. 2017. Doing Qualitative Research (5th ed.). Sage.
Sirait, N. N., Rosmalinda, R., Robert, R., Pamungkas, R., Djodie, Mohd. E., & Rangkuti, L. H. Y. 2025. A Comparative Approach to Competition Law in the Digital Economy Sector between Australia and Indonesia. In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Social Environment Diversity (ICOSEND 2024) (Vol. 905, pp. 494–504). Atlantis Press.
Sulaiman, M., Pakpahan, N. H., & Putra, A. R. 2023. Analysis of the Validity and Effectiveness of Electronic Contracts in Legal Protection of Digital Transactions in Indonesia. Journal of Social Science Studies, 3(1), 41–46.
Sulistiono, D., Hardyansah, R., & Darmawan, D. 2024. The Law’s Role in Ensuring the Protection and Security of Bank Customers. International Journal of Service Science, Management, Engineering, and Technology, 6(2), 1–5.
Tesalonika, R., & Gevan, N. W. 2025. Kajian Implementasi UU Perpajakan Ekonomi Digital 2024 dari Perspektif Hukum dan Dampak Akuntansi Perusahaan Teknologi Indonesia. Dinasti Accounting Review, 2(2), 47–59.
Tu, X., & Silva, B. D. C. E. 2025. Are We Ready for the Metaverse? Implications, Legal Landscape, and Recommendations for Responsible Development. Digital Society, 4(1), 9.
Wahyudi, W., R. N. K. Kabalmay, & M. W. Amri. 2021. Big Data and New Things in Social Life, Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 1(1), 1-12.
Wahyudi, E., D. Darmawan, & R. Hardyansah. 2023. Legal Protection for Online Ojek Drivers Who are Victims of Fictitious Order, Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 2(2), 37-43
