The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) plans to summon the developers of Worldcoin and WorldID next week.

This action follows the temporary suspension of the platforms, which collect users’ iris data, for alleged regulatory violations.

Worldcoin operates in Indonesia under PT. Terang Bulan Abadi but is not registered as an Electronic System Operator (PSE).

It also lacks the necessary operational permit, known as TDPSE.

The ministry indicated that the TDPSE was instead issued to PT. Sandina Abadi Nusantara, raising compliance concerns.

🔗 Source: Katadata

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Indonesia’s digital regulations reflect broader global concerns about biometric data

Indonesia’s action against Worldcoin mirrors similar regulatory interventions in multiple countries concerned about iris-scanning technology.

Brazil banned Worldcoin in January 2025 explicitly citing violations of data protection laws and concerns over the collection of sensitive biometric data1.

Spain’s authorities also upheld a temporary ban on the platform, highlighting the cross-jurisdictional pattern of regulatory caution around permanent biometric identifiers2.

This global trend demonstrates how emerging technologies that collect sensitive biometric data are facing increasing scrutiny as regulators weigh innovation against privacy concerns.

The Indonesian case is particularly significant since the country still lacks a comprehensive data protection law, making regulatory actions like this an important precedent for how biometric data will be governed3.

Indonesia’s government appears to be following the precautionary approach seen in other jurisdictions, prioritizing prevention of potential harm over waiting for problems to emerge.

2️⃣ Electronic System Operator registration reflects Indonesia’s maturing digital governance

The suspension of Worldcoin highlights Indonesia’s increasingly sophisticated digital regulatory regime that requires proper registration and accountability.

Recent Worldcoin developments