Say Goodbye to Easy Phone Sign-Ups
Hey everyone! So, something pretty major is about to change here in Korea, and it involves our beloved smartphones. Starting next week, on December 23rd, the process of getting a new phone is getting a high-tech (and maybe complicated) makeover. The government has announced that it will be mandatory to use facial recognition to activate a new phone line or change your device. This isn’t just for one carrier; it applies to everyone, including the budget-friendly MVNOs (알뜰폰). The idea is to have you verify your identity by comparing your face to the photo on your ID card, all in the name of security.
Why the Sudden Change? The Fight Against Fraud
You might be wondering, “Why the hassle?” Well, the main reason is to combat the rampant issue of identity theft and phone-related scams. Voice phishing (보이스피싱) is a massive problem here, where scammers use illegally obtained personal information to open up burner phones (대포폰) and commit financial fraud. By making facial recognition a required step, the government hopes to make it much harder for criminals to create these fraudulent accounts. They’re hoping this extra layer of security will protect people’s identities and money. The plan was originally slated for the end of the year, but with the urgency of preventing these crimes, the government decided to push the start date forward.
Brace Yourselves for Some Chaos
While the intention behind the new policy is good, people on the ground are getting a little nervous. Mobile phone store employees are anticipating a lot of confusion and delays. There are big questions about how well the system will actually work. Industry insiders have pointed out that the success rate of the facial recognition tech, which will mainly be done through the ‘PASS’ app used by major carriers, isn’t perfect. Factors like lighting, your phone’s camera quality, or even the angle of your face could cause the authentication to fail, leading to frustrated customers and long waits at the store.
What’s Next? Security vs. Convenience
This new rule will first be introduced at some in-person stores and for non-face-to-face activations with budget carriers, with plans to expand it to all channels later. It’s a huge step towards tightening security, but it definitely comes at the cost of convenience. We’re all used to a pretty quick and easy sign-up process, so this will be a big adjustment. It’ll be interesting to see how smoothly this rolls out and if it actually helps reduce phone scams as intended. For now, if you’re planning on getting a new phone in Korea after the 23rd, be prepared for a quick selfie session!
