Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has temporarily blocked WorldID, a platform managed by Tools For Humanity and its local partner, PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara.

The suspension follows a review of the platform’s biometric iris data collection, which was found to not fully comply with national legal standards.

On June 16, Director general of digital space oversight at Komdigi Alexander Sabar, said that the measure aims to protect the public from potential risks associated with biometric data collection.

Komdigi has outlined four requirements for Tools For Humanity and its partner to resume operations in Indonesia. First, they must cease all iris scanning and data processing, including previously collected hashed data.

Second, the company must permanently delete all iris codes and encrypted data from Indonesian citizens. Third, it must implement improvements in data governance, security systems, and operational procedures to ensure no child data is processed in the future.

Fourth, the platform must fully comply with national regulations to continue business activities.

🔗 Source: Katadata

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Indonesia’s approach to WorldID reflects evolving global biometric governance

Indonesia’s cautious stance on WorldID aligns with a broader global trend where governments are increasingly scrutinizing private biometric data collection.

While Indonesia has embraced government-managed biometric systems since at least 2010, implementing border control systems at 27 ports that capture facial images and fingerprints 1, it shows greater caution with private sector biometric collection.

The government’s demands for data deletion and improved governance systems specifically target the private collection of iris data while maintaining its own biometric systems, illustrating the tension between state and private biometric control.

Indonesia’s approach demonstrates how countries are developing more nuanced policies that distinguish between government and commercial biometric applications, particularly when sensitive identifiers like iris patterns are involved.

2️⃣ Protection of vulnerable populations emerges as priority in biometric regulation

Komdigi’s specific concern about WorldID’s impact on vulnerable groups—including children, elderly, disabled persons, and the digitally illiterate—reflects an emerging global focus in biometric governance.

Research shows vulnerable populations often have the least data protection despite facing the greatest risks from biometric collection, with humanitarian contexts frequently lacking adequate safeguards 2.