Streamlining Telecoms: Russia's Second Round of Anti-Fraud Measures
Foreign countries have imposed restrictions, prohibiting incoming calls from abroad to Russian phone numbers.
Here's a fresh take on the latest anti-fraud measures being considered in Russia:
In the Pipeline
Russia is set to roll out a new wave of anti-fraud measures aimed at tightening the noose around telecom fraud. This follows the announcement made earlier by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko about the government's work on a second package of measures to combat fraud [1]. The proposed amendments cover key legislative acts, with the document officially titled "On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation (in Part Regarding Counteraction to Offenses Committed Using Information and Communication Technologies)" [1].
Communications, Personal Data, and Beyond
The changes encompass several laws, including the "On Communications," "On Personal Data," "On Information," "On Operative-Investigative Activity," and "On Electronic Signature." One of the major proposals involves operators banning incoming calls from foreign SIM cards. If a subscriber wants to receive such calls, they must inform their operator. Operators, in turn, will be required to mark all calls from foreign SIM cards [1].
A special register of suspected fraudulent numbers is also planned, with operators obliged to disconnect numbers suspected of fraud upon request from the Ministry of Digital Development. Operators will also provide recordings of such conversations, as per the "Yarovaya Law" [1]. However, it's worth noting that the operators themselves do not have access to this information [2].
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Telephone Fraud
Telephone fraud has been a longstanding concern, and it's reassuring to see regulations being put in place to tackle it. However, there have been concerns about the 'hasty' drafting of both the first and second anti-fraud bills. Karen Kazaryan, General Director of the Institute of Internet Studies, has urged for thorough discussions and careful consideration of all proposed measures [1].
On the Horizon: Changes and Controversies
The proposed changes also include a mechanism for operators to compensate for damages from fraudulent actions. Additionally, there are plans to change the basis for obtaining consent to process personal data from Russians. The site owners and pages on the internet must use Russian electronic mail for registration, and compromised accounts can only be restored in person at a multi-functional center or remotely through biometrics [1].
If passed, these measures are set to come into force on March 1, 2026, except for certain provisions of the document [1]. But the road to adoption is far from smooth. Market participants in the mobile communication sector have expressed concerns about the new obligations for operators, particularly the proposed measures to block calls from foreign numbers [3]. Furthermore, privacy experts have voiced concerns about the creation of a consent management platform on the "Gosuslugi" portal, arguing for alternative solutions [4].
A Global Perspective
It's worth considering that the fight against fraud isn't exclusive to Russia. International bodies, like the FATF-MONEYVAL Plenary, are advancing anti-fraud rules affecting telecoms and data, especially through technological requirements and customer protections [2]. However, as of June 2025, there is no concrete evidence of a new Russian "second package" specifically focusing on these areas [2][3][5].
For the moment, the Russian authorities are imposing digital governance and data localization laws, with revised standards being implemented in other jurisdictions like the UK and Europe [2]. Only time will tell if the proposed anti-fraud measures in Russia will live up to expectations and bring the much-needed changes to combat telecom fraud.
[1] Our Website[2] FATF-MONEYVAL Plenary (https://fatf-gafi.org/publications/fatfrecommendations/documents/full-set/fatf-recommendations.html)[3] International Regulatory Reporting[4] Regional Privacy Professionals Association (RPPA)[5] Legal Summaries
- In an attempt to address 'new' concerns regarding telecom fraud, Russia is proposing amendments to several legislative acts, including the 'On Communications' and 'On Personal Data', aiming to streamline finance-related aspects within the telecom 'business' sector.
- The 'technology' sector will also see changes as part of Russia's anti-fraud measures, with plans to introduce a mechanism for operators to compensate for damages from fraudulent actions.
- As the world continues to grapple with 'general-news' issues like cybercrime and fraud, particularly in the telecom industry, it is noteworthy that Russia's proposed measures are part of a broader global movement, with international bodies like FATF-MONEYVAL also advancing anti-fraud rules.
