South Korea launched a trial on Tuesday for a new policy requiring real-time face recognition when registering mobile phone numbers, aiming to curb scams using illegally registered accounts. The policy, set for official launch in March, applies to major carriers and virtual operators.
South Korea's government began a trial period on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, for a policy mandating real-time face recognition during new mobile phone number registrations. The measure targets scam attempts involving illegally registered accounts.
The country's three major carriers—SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Inc.—along with mobile virtual network operators, must implement the procedure for both in-person and remote registrations. Applicants will scan their faces using the PASS app, developed by the carriers and commonly used by public organizations.
Addressing concerns over biometric data collection, officials stated that the process solely verifies if the applicant's face matches their ID photo, with no data storage involved. The government also intends to amend laws requiring carriers to warn users about crime risks tied to illegal phone registrations and to monitor new subscriptions to prevent retailer fraud.
This initiative reflects broader efforts to secure the mobile sector while balancing privacy and crime prevention.
