Minister claims 10 million users registered for biometric SIM cards

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid stated that as of 22 July 2026, some 10 million mobile phone operator subscribers had completed SIM card registration using biometric verification.

“So, in total up to today, that’s 10 million subscribers whose data is now biometric, which means their National Identity Number (NIK) is better protected,” said Meutya at the Joint Commitment Declaration on the Full Implementation of Biometric Data-Based Customer Registration event in Jakarta on Thursday.

Biometric SIM card registration makes it easier for the public to detect whether their National Identity Number (NIK) is being used by someone else, thereby providing greater protection against the risk of identity abuse.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is targeting mobile operators to add 10 million subscribers completing biometric SIM card registration within the next month. Menkomdigi Meutya said the target can be achieved not only through new subscriber registration but also through the re-registration of existing customers who have yet to undergo biometric verification.

“So, if the 10 million comes from existing customers who haven’t done biometric registration, that’s fine too, as long as we verify next month that within one month there are another 10 million records that have been biometrically registered,” she said.

Biometric SIM card registration forms part of the implementation of Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation Number 7 of 2026 on Customer Registration for Mobile Telecommunications Services, which applies the Know Your Customer (KYC) principle through the use of biometric data.

The government affirmed that the policy aims to reduce the use of false identities in SIM card registration while curbing the potential misuse of mobile numbers for various digital crimes.

Meutya also urged mobile operators to maintain compliance with the policy and to ensure the registration process remains easy, inclusive, and does not burden the public.

“Because the aim is to protect mobile users, not to complicate their lives or make things difficult for them. So please ensure the systems and technology used genuinely make things easier and inclusive,” she said.