SIM Card Registration to Use Face Recognition: Is It Secure?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) plans to implement facial recognition biometrics in the registration process for SIM cards. This policy is set to be implemented nationwide on 1 July 2026.

This raises the question: is the implementation of facial recognition safe amidst the widespread occurrence of data breaches? Cybersecurity expert Alfons Tanujaya stated that security will depend on the methods implemented by the government. If the data is properly secured, then facial recognition for SIM card registration should remain safe.

Alfons warned that for the sake of security, the public’s biometric data must be stored in an encrypted state. He noted that such data should only be accessible using a private key.

“The private key must be guarded as strictly as possible to prevent the misuse and leakage of biometric data,” he said. According to Alfans, these measures can be implemented to increase public trust. He did not deny that the data breaches occurring so far have implications for public concern, especially given the track record of repeated data leaks.

“Such as registering prepaid SIM cards, creating fake ID cards (KTP) to open bank accounts to harbour criminal proceeds, or using population data to open accounts or other digital activities that require digital identity verification,” said Alfons. “So, it is only natural that the public is worried,” he added.