OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s digital identity venture, World — previously known as Worldcoin — has hit a regulatory snag in Indonesia, where authorities have temporarily suspended its registration due to alleged violations and suspicious activities.
On May 4, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) announced that it had revoked the Electronic System Operator Certificate (TDPSE) for both World and World ID. The ministry cited irregularities in registration and hinted at possible misuse of legal entities.
As part of the investigation, Komdigi is now summoning World’s local partners — PT Terang Bulan Abadi and PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara — to clarify their roles and address the reported violations.
According to initial findings, PT Terang Bulan Abadi may have been operating without the necessary license, while PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara, which had been providing services for World, is accused of misrepresenting its legal status.
Under Indonesian law, all digital service providers are required to register and operate under their own certified identity. Using another company’s registration certificate is considered a serious breach of compliance.
“Worldcoin services are listed under a certificate belonging to a different entity — PT Sandina Abadi Nusantara,” explained Alexander Sabar, Komdigi’s Director General of Digital Supervision. “This kind of misrepresentation and failure to properly register is a significant violation.”
Source: Komdigi
The interim suspension, according to Sabar, is a preventative measure meant to protect the general population and the larger digital ecosystem. The ministry also called on Indonesian citizens to stay alert and report any suspicious digital services through official channels.
“We’re committed to ensuring a secure and trustworthy digital space for everyone,” said Sabar. “And the public must actively cooperate with that.”
The government’s move sparked mixed reactions online. One Reddit user praised the decision, saying, “Good job Indonesia — at least somebody is standing up to that scam.” Others, however, questioned whether the project might offer value in struggling communities.
“It might be worth it to give up your iris biometrics if it means you can feed your loved ones for a few weeks,” one commentator said. “Your priorities determine everything.”
This isn’t the first time World has run into regulatory resistance. Since its launch in July 2023, countries including Germany, Kenya, and Brazil have raised concerns about how the company handles sensitive biometric data.
Meanwhile, World recently launched in the U.S. in May 2025, bringing its digital identity technology to six major cities. But as the project expands globally, it continues to face scrutiny over privacy and legal compliance, especially in regions with strict digital regulations like Indonesia.
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