Russia says it’s fighting scammers. Its latest proposals would push VPN services off Russian servers, tie eSIMs to devices, and expand telecom data retention.

Russians can currently bar themselves from obtaining a new phone number by visiting a telecom operator’s office in person or applying remotely through Gosuslugi. Beginning March 1, 2027, they will be able to block calls from abroad in the same way.For now, the only way to lift these self-imposed restrictions is to visit a government services center in person. The Digital Development Ministry proposes allowing people to lift them remotely, including through the Max messaging app.Users would also be able to buy a new eSIM through Max.Federal Law “On Communications”Article 44. Provision of communications services1. Within the Russian Federation, telecom operators provide communications services to subscribers under communications service contracts concluded in accordance with civil law, this Federal Law, and the rules governing the provision of communications services.Communications service contracts may be concluded over the Internet, except in the circumstance specified in the fifth paragraph of paragraph 1.1 of this Article, provided that an individual, including a sole proprietor, or a legal entity expresses consent through one of the following methods:[…]using an enhanced unqualified electronic signature and, in accordance with paragraph 4 of part 3 of Article 1 of Federal Law No. 156-FZ of June 24, 2025, “On the Creation of a Multifunctional Information Exchange Service and Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation,” providing information contained in documents establishing a Russian citizen’s identity through the multifunctional information exchange service, provided that, to enable the submission of that information through the multifunctional information exchange service, a photograph of the citizen submitting the information has previously been matched to that citizen’s biometric personal data held in the Unified Biometric SystemArticle 45. Special rules for providing communications services to citizens7². The restrictions specified in paragraph 7¹ of this Article on concluding mobile telephone service contracts and on allowing user equipment (terminal equipment) to receive telephone calls originating from a foreign telecom operator’s network and bearing numbers corresponding to a foreign numbering system and plan may be lifted through one of the following methods:3) using an enhanced unqualified electronic signature and, in accordance with paragraph 4 of part 3 of Article 1 of Federal Law No. 156-FZ of June 24, 2025, “On the Creation of a Multifunctional Information Exchange Service and Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation,” providing information contained in documents establishing a Russian citizen’s identity through the multifunctional information exchange service, provided that, to enable the submission of that information through the multifunctional information exchange service, a photograph of the citizen submitting the information has previously been matched to that citizen’s biometric personal data held in the Unified Biometric System;