Biometric SIM Registration Strengthens Data Protection

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government will begin implementing biometric-based SIM card registration on July 1, 2026, in a bid to strengthen personal data protection and curb digital crime, which often exploits phone numbers registered under fake or unverified identities.

Through facial recognition technology, each mobile number will be linked to its legitimate owner. Officials stress that the policy is not merely about collecting customer data, but about building a safer and more trusted digital space.

The initiative has a strong legal foundation, including Law No. 27/2022 on Personal Data Protection, Law No. 36/1999 on Telecommunications, and Ministerial Regulation No. 7/2026 on Registration of Telecommunication Service Customers via Cellular Mobile Networks.

Authorities emphasize that biometrics is not an end in itself, but a tool to ensure the principle of “one person, one identity, one SIM” is applied more accurately. With validated identities, opportunities for phone number misuse can be reduced from the outset.

The policy aligns with the government’s broader push to strengthen the national digital ecosystem. In the 2026 Digital Economy Action and Leadership (DEAL) Declaration, Director General of Digital Ecosystem Edwin Abdullah noted that the greatest challenge to the digital economy is not technology, but trust.

“Indonesia’s digital ecosystem will not collapse due to external attacks or competition. It will collapse when actors no longer work together and no longer trust each other,” Edwin said, as quoted by infopublik.id.

Public concerns about biometric data security have also been addressed. The government ensures that facial data is not stored as original images but as encrypted biometric templates that cannot be reconstructed.

Validation is conducted over secure connections linked to the national population system and complies with ISO 27001 international information security standards. Mobile operators do not have direct access to biometric data, receiving only verification results.

To prevent identity theft, the system incorporates Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) technology to block attempts using photos, videos, or other digital manipulation.

From a benefits perspective, biometric registration is expected to narrow opportunities for cybercriminals. Fraud, phishing, spam, and other crimes become more difficult as each SIM card must be tied to a validated identity.

The policy also enhances public protection. Customers can check registered numbers using their National Identification Number (NIK) and request blocking if unauthorized registrations are found. Fraudulent numbers can be reported through the AduanNomor.id portal.

Biometric registration is also expected to boost trust in digital services. The government sees trust as the foundation for Indonesia’s digital economy, which is projected to reach nearly USD 99 billion by 2025.

Indonesia Cyber Security Forum observer Ardi Sutedja K said biometric verification can improve identification accuracy and reduce misuse of SIM cards with fake identities. However, he cautioned that the policy is not a silver bullet against cybercrime.

“The effectiveness of biometric registration must be supported by digital literacy, strict oversight, and transparency in personal data management. Transparency is key. The public must be confident that their biometric data is secure and will not be misused,” Ardi said.

Going forward, biometric SIM registration is expected to serve not only as a telecommunications administration tool but also as a foundation for a more secure digital ecosystem, enhancing public trust and supporting the sustainable growth of Indonesia’s digital economy. ***