South Korea has begun a trial of a new policy mandating real-time face recognition for people registering new mobile phone numbers, as part of efforts to curb scams linked to illegally registered accounts. The trial, launched on Tuesday, will run ahead of a nationwide rollout scheduled for March.
Under the policy, all mobile carriers—including SK Telecom, KT Corp., and LG Uplus—as well as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), must apply the verification process for both in-person and remote subscriptions.
Applicants are required to scan their face using PASS, a widely used identification app jointly developed by the three major carriers and commonly adopted by public institutions. The system verifies whether the applicant’s live facial scan matches the photograph on their official identification document.
Addressing privacy concerns, the government clarified that biometric data will not be stored. The face recognition process is used solely for real-time verification to confirm identity and prevent misuse of stolen or fabricated credentials.
In parallel, authorities plan to revise existing laws to strengthen oversight of new mobile subscriptions. Proposed measures include requiring carriers to warn users about the risks of involvement in crimes associated with illegally registered phones and holding retailers accountable for fraudulent sign-ups.
The move reflects South Korea’s broader push to tighten identity controls amid rising digital fraud, particularly scams exploiting anonymous or unlawfully obtained mobile numbers. Officials say the trial will help fine-tune safeguards before the policy is enforced nationwide.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
