Indonesia, through The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) is preparing a new ministerial regulation that will require mobile phone number registration to use facial recognition technology. The regulation aims to strengthen digital security and improve the accuracy of user identity verification across Indonesia.
According to Komdigi’s official statement, this new regulation will enhance the existing system under Ministerial Regulation No. 5 of 2021 (PM 5/2021), which previously required users to register their mobile phone numbers using their National Identity Number (NIK) and Family Card Number (KK). However, this system has often been misused, including the use of stolen or borrowed identities for illegal activities such as fraud and the distribution of harmful content.
Komdigi argues that the traditional registration method needs to be reinforced with biometric verification, making it more secure and harder to falsify. The ministry said the new approach will create a more effective, efficient, and technology-adaptive data validation system for telecommunications users nationwide.
Facial Recognition to Become a Mandatory Requirement
Although PM 5/2021 already introduced “Know Your Customer” (KYC) principles and listed facial recognition as a verification method, the technical procedures were never implemented. The new draft regulation will provide detailed guidelines on how biometric data must be used for user registration.
Komdigi emphasized that the regulation is necessary to establish clear technical standards for mobile number registration using biometric facial recognition. This step is expected to significantly improve data accuracy and strengthen national digital security.
Under the new regulation, all Indonesian citizens will need to provide three key components when registering their mobile number:
- Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN)
- National Identity Number (NIK)
- Biometric facial recognition data
Komdigi also plans a special mechanism for users under 17 years old who do not yet have an electronic ID card or have not recorded biometric data. In such cases, registration will require:
- The MSISDN
- The minor’s NIK
- The biometric data of the family head listed on the Family Card
This approach ensures that minors can obtain mobile numbers while maintaining parental oversight and linking registrations to official population records.
Regulation Covers eSIM Registration
The new regulation will also apply to users of embedded SIM (eSIM) technology. Just like physical SIM cards, eSIM users must register with their NIK and facial recognition data. The goal is to create a unified and secure identity-based registration system for both prepaid and postpaid users.
Komdigi acknowledges that implementing biometric systems nationwide cannot happen overnight. Therefore, the draft regulation includes a one-year transition period from the moment it is officially enacted. During this period, users can still follow the existing registration process before fully switching to the facial recognition-based system.
Source: Medcom, Liputan6
Photo Credit: via Kolase mu4.co.id
