Children buying new phones: Facial scan mandatory? Komdigi rules explained

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - SIM card registration for mobile phones used by children under 17 still requires parental data, as confirmed by the Director General of the Digital Ecosystem at the Ministry of Communications and Digital, Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, during a press conference on Friday, 29 May 2026.

‘For children under 17, their data is not yet in Dukcapil’s records. However, all have guardians, and we can assist via their parents,’ he explained.

Children under 17 do not hold National ID Cards (KTP) or have biometric data registered with Dukcapil.

The registration process for children is regulated under Ministerial Regulation No. 7 of 2026 on Customer Registration for Mobile Telecommunications Services.

Article 3(2) specifies the required data for biometric registration of children, including the mobile number, the customer’s NIK (National Identity Number), the head of household’s NIK and biometrics as per the family card (Kartu Keluarga).

Full biometric registration using facial recognition will commence on 1 July 2026. A trial phase, which included SIM registration using NIK and family card number (NoKK), began in January.

So far, an average of 1.4 million customers have used the registration system. Mobile operators have confirmed readiness of infrastructure for the system.

‘All operators have biometric capabilities across all registration channels, whether in retail stores or online platforms,’ said ATSI Deputy Chair Reski Damayanti during the same event.

Edwin was also questioned about Dukcapil verification fees for registration. He confirmed no costs would be passed on to the public.

The registration process is a mutual agreement with mobile operators as part of their business responsibility, as well as the state’s duty to protect citizens.

‘Are mobile operators burdened by covering costs for the public? No. Why? Because as public trust in mobile usage grows, their businesses also expand,’ Edwin stated.

Government Regulation No. 10 of 2023 on Non-Tax State Revenue Types and Rates under the Ministry of Home Affairs sets verification fees at Rp1,000 for NIK and Rp3,000 per facial recognition biometric. However, operators cover these costs, with no charges passed to consumers.