Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) will fully enforce mandatory SIM card registration using facial recognition biometrics from 1 July 2026.

The Director General of Digital Ecosystem at Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital, Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, said the ministry will introduce the policy gradually.

The rollout will begin with a six-month transition period starting in January 2026.

During this phase, biometric verification will remain optional for new SIM card registrations. After the transition ends, all new SIM cards must be registered using facial recognition.

“After 1 July, every new SIM card registration must use face recognition,”

Edwin said.

He said the transition period and implementation framework are clearly set out in the draft regulation, which has already undergone public consultation, according to Bisnis Tekno.

The ministry has incorporated feedback from stakeholders.

It is currently harmonising the regulation internally and externally, including coordination with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, ahead of the minister’s signing.

Edwin said the government introduced the policy in response to the continued rise in digital crime.

He said criminals frequently use mobile numbers for scam calls, spoofing, smishing and other forms of social engineering.

Komdigi said losses from digital fraud have exceeded Rp7 trillion. It also reported that authorities record tens of millions of scam calls each month.

The Indonesian Telecommunications Providers Association, Asosiasi Penyelenggara Telekomunikasi Seluruh Indonesia, has expressed support for the policy.

Its Executive Director, Marwan O Baasir, said the association has completed discussions on the ministerial regulation and is now awaiting formal approval.

Marwan said authorities will grant mobile operators a six-month testing period before full enforcement in July 2026.

During this phase, the existing registration system and the new biometric process will operate in parallel to assess implementation readiness.

He added that authorities may review the policy if significant public disruption occurs. He said the government may also allow more time for public adaptation.

He noted that consumers continue to bear the greatest impact of widespread digital fraud.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Indonesia, based on image by freepik