A method is for limiting a voltage in the reverse direction of a light emitting diode is disposed on a secure element. The light emitting diode is electrically connected in parallel to a coil and to operating voltage connectors of an integrated circuit. The coil serves for supplying energy to the integrated circuit and to the light emitting diode because an electrical voltage is induced in the coil with an electromagnetic field produced by an external terminal, and for the contactless data transmission between the integrated circuit and the external terminal. The integrated circuit serves for processing data transmitted between the terminal and the integrated circuit. A shunt regulator regulates the operating voltage required for the operation of the integrated circuit to a value within an allowable range and limits the operating voltage, so a maximally permissible voltage in the reverse direction of the light emitting diode is not exceeded.