All New Smartphones in South Korea are Required to Use Facial Recognition for Setup
The facial recognition requirement is supposed to help stop crime:
Face recognition will be mandatory when setting up a new smartphone starting Tuesday, local media reported.
Under the new rule, new users must verify their identity through facial recognition when they buy a new smartphone, whether online or in person, according to relevant authorities.
The requirement applies to the country’s three major mobile carriers, SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus, as well as low-cost mobile carriers.
Previously, users were required only to present an identification card to activate a smartphone. Under the revised system, an additional step has been added that requires users to take a photo of their face through the PASS authentication app.
The government said the measure is aimed at preventing crimes such as voice phishing and smishing that are often carried out using smartphones activated with stolen or forged identification.
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