November 28, 2025 | 11:38 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairperson of the Indonesia Cyber Security Forum (ICSF), Ardi Sutedja, has cautioned the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) about potential risks associated with the use of biometric face recognition in mobile customer registration.
While biometric verification can improve accuracy in the SIM card Know Your Customer (KYC) process, fingerprint and facial data are unique, permanent, and cannot be changed if compromised.
“Unlike passwords or PINs, which can be reset, biometric data is intrinsic to a person’s identity and cannot be altered if leaked or stolen,” Ardi said on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The use of facial recognition is outlined in the Draft Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Digital on the Registration of Telecommunication Service Customers via Mobile Cellular Networks (RPM Customer Registration), part of Komdigi’s 2025 work program.
Ardi warned that if biometric data falls into the wrong hands, it could lead to identity fraud, unauthorized use of services, and serious privacy breaches. “The security risks of biometrics are growing with advancements in AI technology,” he added.
Citing analysis from SOCRadar, Ardi highlighted the threat of AI-driven biometric manipulation, including deepfake and spoofing attacks capable of deceiving facial recognition systems.
He also referenced research from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which shows that facial recognition technology remains vulnerable to social engineering and digital manipulation, as well as reports from Anthropic emphasizing the potential misuse of AI for digital espionage.
Ardi urged Komdigi to adopt layered security measures, including end-to-end encryption, anomaly detection, and transparent audit mechanisms.
He stressed that the collection, storage, and processing of biometric data must comply with international security standards and strict data protection regulations.
“Public trust is essential for successful biometric implementation. Educating customers about data management, who has access, and how their data is used is critical for transparency,” Ardi said.
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