An investigation into World’s local operators is being conducted by Indonesia’s digital ministry, which has alleged suspicious activity and breaches of registration rules, while also requesting public feedback on the matter.
The digital identity initiative World, formerly referred to as Worldcoin and led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is encountering difficulties in Indonesia following the temporary suspension of its registration certificates by local regulatory authorities.
The Electronic System Operator Certificate Registration (TDPSE) for World and World ID has been suspended by the Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) due to concerns over suspicious activity and alleged breaches of registration requirements, as announced by the ministry on May 4.
Following the suspension, World’s local subsidiaries—PT Terang Bulan Abadi and PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara—are expected to be summoned by Komdigi to offer clarification regarding the alleged violations, according to the ministry’s statement.
Based on preliminary findings, it has been alleged that PT Terang Bulan Abadi, a local entity of World, was operating without a valid TDPSE, while PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara—the subsidiary used by World to deliver its services—is suspected of being involved in legal misrepresentation.
Indonesia Mandates Registration for All Digital Service Providers
In the statement, it was emphasized by Komdigi that electronic registration is required for all digital service providers operating in Indonesia, in compliance with national regulations.
It was noted by the authority that utilizing the registration of another entity constitutes a significant violation of Indonesia’s digital operations law.
It was stated in the announcement by Alexander Sabar, Komdigi’s director general for digital supervision, that “Worldcoin services have been recorded under a TDPSE registered to a different legal entity, specifically PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara,” and he further added:
Noncompliance with registration obligations and the use of the identity of another legal entity to carry out digital services is a serious violation.
Call for Community Engagement
According to Sabar, the temporary suspension of World in Indonesia has been implemented as a precautionary step to mitigate possible risks to the community.
It was stated by him that the digital ministry remains dedicated to regulating the digital ecosystem with fairness and rigor to safeguard the integrity and security of the national digital environment.
Proper oversight, according to Sabar, will require active involvement from the community. He encouraged the public to contribute to maintaining a secure and trustworthy digital environment for all citizens. Additionally, Komdigi urged individuals to stay alert regarding unauthorized digital services and to promptly report any suspected violations through the official public complaint channel.
The action taken by Komdigi has prompted a divided response within the community.
One Reddit user commented that the action was commendable, stating, “Good job Indonesia — at least somebody is standing up to that scam.”
In contrast, others responded by suggesting that World’s presence in Indonesia could offer potential advantages for the broader population.
Another Reddit user remarked that, “If surrendering your iris biometrics allows you to provide for your loved ones for several weeks, it could be a trade worth considering. Ultimately, it depends on what holds the greatest importance to you.”
The latest developments concerning World in Indonesia follow the platform’s U.S. launch in May 2025, during which its digital identity technology was introduced across six cities.
Since World’s launch in July 2023, resistance to its operations has been expressed by several global regulators, with countries such as Germany, Kenya, and Brazil raising concerns about the potential risks associated with the handling of users’ biometric data.
