Introducing facial authentication for mobile phone activation…Can be replaced with a mobile ID or resident registration copy
Strengthened identity verification for new mobile phone activations, with multi-step procedures including facial authentication introduced Check the new standards to reduce identity theft and burner phone crimes, including conditional activations
The government will introduce a multistep identity verification process, including facial authentication, for new mobile phone activations and number porting starting on the 6th of next month. This measure is intended to reduce identity theftbased activations that are exploited for voice phishing and fraudulent phone crimes.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said it will apply the same standards across all channels of the three major mobile carriers and budget mobile service providers, regardless of whether the transaction is in person or not. Users can verify their identity by choosing one of the following: facial authentication, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's mobile ID, or a resident registration certificate issued on the same day.
Even in cases where facial authentication is difficult, conditional activation is possible if identity is confirmed through an alternative method. The government explained that it plans to supplement the legal basis for using facial information through an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Telecommunications Business Act in October. However, concerns have also been raised over privacy protection, onsite confusion, and the possibility of recognition errors.