The legal professional clarified the reason behind the avoidance of incriminating oneself.
1:27 PM, May 2nd Tech Times
Securing Communication: Taking Charge of Your SIM Cards
Alexander Haminskiy, head of the Moscow and Region Law Enforcement Center, sheds light on the need for a self-ban system for SIM card registration.
He points out that, despite stringent verification processes, many mobile stores flout the rules. It's common for numbers to be registered using a photocopy of a passport without the owner's physical presence, leading to unregulated SIM cards—a concern RT has reported.
Haminskiy stresses that these unchecked SIM cards become weapons for criminal activities. In fact, he asserted that in every terrorist act uncovered, the perpetrators had phones registered under false names. This poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies in tracking down these criminals.
The proposed self-ban mechanism aims to tackle two crucial aspects:
- Empowering citizens to take responsibility for the SIM cards registered in their names
- Preventing illicit eSIM production
You can already access the "SIM Cards" section on the Gosuslugi portal to review all mobile operator numbers associated with your name.
Background Checks and Identity Verification
The new system introduces several measures to increase accountability and identification checks:
- Personal Verification: Russians can now prohibit the issuance of a SIM card without their personal presence, essential in preventing criminals from using stolen identities to obtain SIM cards.
- Identity Documentation: To acquire a SIM card, users must submit identification, typically a passport, ensuring each SIM card is tied to a verified individual.
- Electronic Signature Contracts: The system supports online contract initiation and termination using electronic signatures, enhancing user identification via systems such as Unified Identification or biometric systems.
- Device Security: Users can link their device's IMEI number to an account (ESIA), making it simpler to trace and block devices in the event of theft or compromise, thereby deterring unauthorized use.
Fighting Crime and Fraud
- Curbing 'Gray' SIM Cards: The system aims to minimize the usage of 'gray' SIM cards, which are frequently employed for illicit activities like spamming, phishing, and anonymous calls.
- Enhancing User Safety: Measures like monitoring ATM transactions and preventing unauthorized actions help protect users from financial fraud, a common predecessor to criminal activities.
- Tightened Oversight: Telecom operators will be held accountable for monitoring and enforcing these regulations, with Roskomnadzor's help, providing improved supervision and adherence to anti-criminal measures.
In essence, the self-ban system along with these regulations in Russia are designed to strengthen communication security by minimizing anonymity and unauthorized SIM card usage, making it harder for criminals to carry out fraudulent activities.
- Alexander Haminskiy, in the Tech Times discussion on secure communication, advocated for a self-ban system for SIM card registration to combat illicit activities, especially in the light of mobile stores flouting verification processes.
- The proposed self-ban mechanism, as part of the new system, includes measures like personal verification, identity documentation, electronic signature contracts, and device security to prevent criminals from obtaining SIM cards under false identities.
- By minimizing the usage of 'gray' SIM cards and enhancing user safety, the implemented regulations aim to curb financial fraud, which is often a precursor to crime, in Russia.
- Telecom operators in Russia will be held accountable for monitoring and enforcing these regulations, with Roskomnadzor's assistance, to provide improved supervision and adherence to anti-criminal measures in the technology and finance industries.
