Communications Ministry Tightens Oversight of Biometric SIM Card Registration

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemenkomdigi) is tightening supervision of the implementation of biometric-based SIM card registration. This step is taken to ensure all mobile operators and their distribution partners comply with the rules in order to close loopholes for digital crime.

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid made this affirmation during the Joint Commitment for Customer Protection through Biometric Registration Implementation event at the Garuda Spark Innovation Hub, Central Jakarta, Thursday (23/7/2026). The event was attended by all the chief executive officers of mobile telecommunications providers who are members of the Indonesian Cellular Telecommunications Association (ATSI).

Three weeks after the policy was enacted, Meutya highlighted that non-compliant practices still exist at a number of service points. She requested operators to ensure every registration channel—whether physical outlets, applications, websites, or distribution partners—adheres to the same security standards.

“Do not let the policy be in effect at the central level, but in practice there are still loopholes on the ground. There must be no difference in security standards between registration in big cities and in the regions,” Meutya stressed.

The strengthening of biometric registration is positioned as an upstream solution to eradicate anonymity, which is often misused in criminal activities. Based on the data presented, the urgency of this protection is underpinned by massive loss figures.

Meutya believes that with biometric verification, every mobile number will be linked directly to a valid owner’s identity, thereby narrowing the space for perpetrators of online gambling, fictitious online loans, and identity theft.

Data from the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) shows that biometric registration currently covers 10.03 million customers. The government is targeting the system to gradually cover all 291.16 million active mobile subscribers in Indonesia.

“The public must be guaranteed that every activated SIM card has undergone a registration process that is correct, secure, and accountable,” Meutya concluded.