Russia’s favorite scam The Kremlin’s proposed ‘anti-fraud’ laws mean fewer freedoms, more surveillance, and a free pass to hack its enemies — Meduza
meduza.io
In Russia, the fight against “fraudsters” has become a favorite pretext for tightening digital legislation. Some of the new measures are genuinely aimed at cybercrime, but others appear designed to expand the state’s repressive machinery. After banning voice and video calls on Telegram and WhatsApp — cutting millions of Russians off from their go-to channels of communication — the government is preparing another wave of restrictions. Now, the Digital Development Ministry has unveiled a new package of bills supposedly targeting phone and Internet fraud. Meduza examines some of the proposals — from new restrictions on citizens to carve-outs that allow targeting the state’s enemies.

Archived

Proposed new amendments to Russia’s federal law “On communications” provide for the creation of a unified database of mobile device identifiers:

  • Database of end-user device identifiers — an information system maintained by a mobile telecommunications operator that contains data on the identifiers of end-user devices, as recorded when registering a subscriber’s device for mobile telecommunications services;

  • Central database of end-user device identifiers — an information system containing data from the identifier databases maintained by mobile telecommunications operators, as well as information on which end-user devices are authorized or prohibited for use in mobile telecommunications networks within the Russian Federation.

The identifiers in question are most likely IMEIs (International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers). Each telecom operator will compile its own database and transfer the information to the central system. The centralized database will be administered by Russia’s federal censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, which will act on behalf of the state as the official holder of the information.

Some identifiers will be blacklisted for use in Russia.

[…]

  • cub Gucci@lemmy.today
    2·
    13 days ago

    I hate to defend the Russian government, but the fact that such a database is yet to be created is a surprise for me. India has CEIR program, Turkey and Indonesia surely have their government sanctioned IMEI database.