Criminals have been exploiting stolen data to open phone accounts used in phishing scams, prompting South Korea to introduce biometric verification checks through the PASS digital ID system. Major mobile carriers, including LG Uplus, Korea Telecom and SK Telecom, will validate users by matching their faces against biometric data stored in the PASS digital identity app. The measure follows a difficult year for data security in South Korea, marked by cyber incidents affecting more than half the population. SK Telecom reported a breach involving all 23 million of its customers and now faces more than $1.5 billion in penalties and compensation. Regulators also revealed that mobile virtual network operators were linked to 92% of counterfeit phones uncovered in 2024, strengthening the government’s case for tougher identity controls.