Worldcoin's Indonesian Operations Suspended Over Registration Violations

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s digital identity project, World, formerly known as Worldcoin, has encountered obstacles in Indonesia. The Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) has temporarily suspended the Electronic System Operator Certificate Registration (TDPSE) for World and World ID due to suspicious activity and alleged registration violations. This decision was announced on May 4.

Following the suspension, Komdigi plans to summon World’s local subsidiaries, PT Terang Bulan Abadi and PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara, to clarify the alleged violations. A preliminary investigation revealed that PT Terang Bulan Abadi was allegedly operating without the necessary TDPSE, while PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara, the subsidiary used by World for its services, is allegedly involved in legal misrepresentation.

Indonesian law mandates that all digital service providers must be registered electronically in accordance with local regulations. Komdigi emphasized that using another entity’s registration for digital services is a significant breach of the law. Alexander Sabar, the director general for digital supervision at Komdigi, stated that Worldcoin services were recorded using TDPSE under the name of PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara. He noted that noncompliance with registration obligations and the use of another legal entity’s identity for digital services constitute serious violations.

Sabar explained that the temporary suspension of World in Indonesia is a precautionary measure to prevent potential risks to the community. Komdigi is committed to overseeing the digital ecosystem fairly and strictly to ensure the security of the national digital space. Sabar also highlighted the importance of community participation in maintaining a safe and trusted digital environment. He urged the public to remain vigilant against unauthorized digital services and to report suspected violations through the official public complaint channel.

The community response to Komdigi’s action has been mixed. Some users praised Indonesia for taking a stand against what they perceive as a scam, while others pointed out potential benefits of World’s offering for the general public. One user suggested that the trade-off of biometric data for immediate benefits might be worth it for some individuals.

World’s latest developments in Indonesia follow its debut in the United States in May 2025, where the platform initially rolled out its digital identity technology in six cities. Since its launch in July 2023, World has faced pushback from various global regulators, with governments like Germany, Kenya, and Brazil expressing concerns over the potential risks to the security of biometric data provided by users.