Personal Information Committee: 'Facial recognition system for mobile phone activation needs improvement'

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has called for significant improvements to the facial recognition system used during mobile phone activations. The commission recommended that the Ministry of Science and ICT re-evaluate the system, citing concerns about potential privacy violations.

The facial recognition system, implemented nationwide in December, aims to prevent voice phishing by comparing a user's live face with their ID photo. However, the PIPC found that the system's operation was not adequately reviewed from a privacy protection standpoint. It highlighted that facial information is considered sensitive data requiring stringent management.

The commission pointed out that current laws lack clear legal basis for using facial data as a means of identity verification. Furthermore, it noted that users have limited choice, making it difficult to refuse the facial recognition process. This effectively creates a situation where consent is practically unavoidable.

Consequently, the PIPC urged the Ministry of Science and ICT to reconsider the necessity and appropriate scope of the facial recognition system. The recommendation emphasizes the need to revise the system in a manner that strengthens the protection of personal information.