This file photo, taken July 22, 2025, shows a mobile phone store in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s science ministry on Wednesday sought to calm privacy concerns over a new requirement for real-time facial recognition when registering mobile phone numbers, insisting that no biometric data is stored under the system.
The reassurance followed the launch Tuesday of a pilot program that requires applicants to verify their identity by scanning their faces through PASS, a mobile identification app widely used by government agencies. The system compares a user’s live image with the photo on an official identification card to curb scams linked to illegally registered phone accounts.
The rollout has drawn public unease, particularly after a series of data breaches this year at local mobile carriers that led to large-scale leaks of personal information and unauthorized payments. As of Wednesday, about 43,000 people had signed a petition submitted to the National Assembly calling for the policy to be scrapped.
“We fully recognize the public’s concerns given recent hacking incidents involving telecom operators,” the ministry said in a statement. “However, contrary to some claims, no facial data or personal information is stored. All information is immediately deleted once identity verification is completed.”
The government said it would continue working with mobile carriers and relevant agencies to audit the security of the facial recognition system and prevent potential data breaches. It also pledged to address difficulties faced by older users during the trial period ahead of the policy’s formal launch in March.
The measure is part of a broader crackdown announced in August to combat voice-phishing scams, including tougher penalties for carriers that fail to take adequate preventive steps. While the new system currently applies only to Korean nationals — as it relies on resident registration cards and driver’s licenses — officials said upgrades are planned to accommodate identification documents used by foreign residents.
The debate underscores the growing tension between efforts to strengthen digital security and public sensitivity to privacy in a country where mobile phones are central to daily life and financial transactions.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
