The science ministry reaffirmed Wednesday that no data will be stored under a new policy mandating real-time face recognition when registering a new mobile phone number, dismissing concerns over privacy. The confirmation came one day after Korea launched a trial run of the policy Tuesday, requiring applicants to scan their faces through PASS, an identification app widely used by public organizations, which compares the photo on an identification card with the holder's actual face. The move, however, raised concerns among the public, particularly as local mobile carriers suffered a series of data breaches this year that led to massive leakages of personal information or unauthorized mobile payments. "We are well aware that the public is concerned due to a series of hacking incidents at local mobile carriers," the ministry said in a release. "Contrary to concerns raised by some, no personal information is stored or saved, and it is immediately erased once identification is verified." As of Wednesday, around 43,000 people have participated in a petition filed with the National Assembly, urg