Indonesia's biometric SIM card registration reaches 10 million users
“As of today, a total of 10 million new users have registered using biometric data, meaning their National Identification Numbers (NIK) are far better protected,” Meutya said during the Joint Commitment Declaration for the Full Implementation of Biometric-Based Subscriber Registration event in Jakarta on Thursday.
The newly mandated biometric SIM card registration makes it easier for the public to detect if their NIK is being used by someone else, offering stronger protection against identity theft and misuse.
“This is one of the measures taken by the state to secure and safeguard citizens, particularly mobile network users,” Meutya said.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has set a target of an additional 10 million user registrations via biometric SIM card verification over the next month.
Meutya noted that this target does not rely solely on new SIM card registrations but can also be met through re-registration of existing users who have not yet completed biometric verification.
Biometric registration is part of the implementation of Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation No. 7/2026 on Mobile Network Telecommunication Service Customer Registration, which applies Know Your Customer (KYC) principles using biometric data.
The government emphasized that the policy aims to prevent the use of fake identities in SIM card registrations while curbing potential mobile number misuse for cybercrimes.
To ensure its optimal implementation, Minister Meutya urged mobile operators to comply with the rule and ensure the registration process is accessible and inclusive for the public.
“The goal is to protect mobile users, not to complicate things or make their lives difficult. So, please ensure the system and technology used genuinely simplify things and are inclusive,” the minister said.
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Translator: Farhan Arda, Raka Adji