Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) will limit the use of National Identification Numbers (NIK) for mobile SIM card activation. Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid announced this during the launch of the e-SIM policy.
Under the upcoming regulation, a single NIK can only register up to nine mobile phone numbers. According to Minister Meutya, this restriction will be part of a follow-up regulation to Ministerial Regulation No. 5 of 2021 issued by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Kominfo).
“Regulation No. 5 of 2021 intends to limit the number of mobile numbers each customer can own. One NIK can be used for up to three numbers per cellular operator, which means a maximum of nine numbers per NIK,” Meutya stated at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex in Jakarta on Friday (April 11, 2025).
She emphasized that this policy is a response to the country’s excessive number of active mobile phone numbers, which, according to recent data, have reached 350 million. Further, she explained that this situation creates vulnerabilities to crimes conducted through mobile or digital networks. Moreover, using NIKs in SIM card activation increases the risk of unauthorized use of personal data.
“There are currently 350 million SIM cards in circulation, meaning many individuals hold multiple mobile connections. This creates a high risk of mobile or digital-based crimes, as well as identity theft involving stolen NIKs,” she concluded.
