South Korea Rolls Out Mandatory Face Scans for New Phone Numbers to Combat Scams

South Korea has begun a trial for mandatory facial recognition when registering new mobile numbers to fight financial scams, raising questions about biometric data privacy and government surveillance.

The South Korean government has launched a trial for a new policy requiring real-time facial recognition to register a mobile phone number, a move aimed at cracking down on financial scams that use illegally registered accounts. According to Yonhap news agency, the trial began on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, with the policy set to be officially implemented in March 2026.

The country's three major mobile carriers—SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Inc.—as well as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), will be required to enforce the procedure for both in-person and remote sign-ups.

Under the new system, applicants must scan their face using PASS, an identification app developed by the three carriers. The app verifies a match between the live scan and the photo on the applicant's official ID card.

Amid rising concerns about the collection of sensitive biometric information, the government stated that the data will not be stored. Officials claim the process is solely for one-time verification. In addition to this measure, the government also plans to revise laws to compel carriers to notify users of the risks associated with illegally registered phones and to increase their oversight of retailers to prevent fraudulent subscriptions.

PRISM Insight: PRISM Insight: The Digital Identity Dilemma South Korea's move reflects a global push-pull between governments seeking robust digital identity systems for security and citizens' growing concerns over data privacy and state surveillance. While the stated goal is to prevent crime, the mandatory collection of biometric data, even if not stored, sets a precedent that will be closely watched by digital rights advocates worldwide.

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