January 26, 2026 | 02:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Viada Hafid, has issued new regulations regarding the registration of cellular cards for telecommunication services and prospective customers.
The regulation limits the ownership of mobile phone numbers and requires biometric-based identity verification to prevent the circulation of active numbers without verified identities, a loophole often exploited for digital fraud and cybercrime.
Meutya said the regulation is aimed at closing the gap created by unregistered numbers, which are frequently used for fraud, spam, and misuse of personal data.
“Biometric-based registration, limitation of number ownership, and the public's right to check and control numbers under their identity are important foundations in narrowing the space for digital crimes in Indonesia,” she said in a written statement on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Under Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 7 of 2026, identity verification using biometric technology, such as facial recognition, is required in the registration process for cellular cards.
Prospective customers under the age of 17 must register through the identity and biometrics of the head of the household. Registration can be completed online or by visiting service providers’ outlets.
Telecommunication companies are prohibited from activating customer numbers until the prospective customer’s identity has been verified. The new regulation, enacted on January 19, 2026, also limits mobile number ownership.
Article 14, Paragraph 1 of Chapter IV prohibits telecommunication providers from registering more than three prepaid numbers per identity.
Exceptions are made for three cases: prepaid numbers used for machine-to-machine communication or Internet of Things (IoT) purposes; testing or violation detection by service providers; and registrations by legal entities, non-legal entities, or other organizations for telecommunication needs.
The Ministry will impose administrative sanctions on providers who violate the regulation, including written warnings or temporary suspension of business activities. Sanctions will be applied in stages until providers comply fully with the ministerial rules.
Read: Ultrajaya Invests Rp1.14 Trillion to Supply Milk for Free Meal Program
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
9 Tips for Cleaning Your Phone Camera
20 Agustus 2025
Here are 9 tips on keeping the mobile phone camera clean to ensure the clarity of photos.
Indonesia Ranks 4th in Global Smartphone Usage
1 Juli 2025
Indonesia is among the top five countries with the largest number of smartphone users globally.
These Countries Ban Cell Phones in Schools
4 Mei 2025
A number of countries have already prohibited the use of mobile phones for elementary school students, here is the list.
Saying 'No' to Mobile Phone Use While Driving
25 November 2024
Distractions from mobile phones while driving can cause fatalities. Tackling the problem will require a multi-disciplinary approach.
Cyprus to Ban Mobile Use in Schools
20 Juni 2024
Cyprus is to ban mobile phone use in schools, the education minister said on Wednesday, June 19.
Lion Air JT-693 Passengers Diverted After Mobile Phone Catches Fire
27 Februari 2023
138 passengers of Lion Air's flight JT-693 caused by a passenger's mobile phone catching fire, had been directed to another flight.
IMEI Regulation, Govt Sends Text Confirmation to Users
20 April 2020
Kominfo started to send text messages to the public regarding the IMEI control regulation they imposed on April 18.
Kominfo to Enforce Policy Against Illegal Imported Mobile Phones
27 Februari 2020
Kominfo is set to meet mobile cellular operators to rectify the best way to enforce its illegal IMEI blockage policy.
IMEI Regulation; Illegal Phone Dealers will Not be Compensated
27 November 2019
The Indonesian government announced that it will not provide compensation for illegal mobile phone dealers affected by the IMEI regulation.
New IMEI Rule to Combat Losses Due to Illegal Mobile Phone
18 Oktober 2019
Three-State Ministries produce a new IMEI regulation to combat the illegal mobile phone market.
