A draft law has been developed in the State Duma that prohibits foreigners from having more than one phone number. According to the explanatory note, “this project will enhance security in Russia by ensuring control over the communications of foreigners.” Currently, foreigners can register no more than 10 SIM cards in their name. As reported […]
A draft law has been developed in the State Duma that prohibits foreigners from having more than one phone number.
According to the explanatory note, “this project will enhance security in Russia by ensuring control over the communications of foreigners.”
Currently, foreigners can register no more than 10 SIM cards in their name.
As reported by the State Duma, such measures are being taken due to the growing threats related to terrorism, espionage, fraud, and cyber threats.
Starting from January 1, authorities have already tightened the process of obtaining a phone number. Foreign citizens and stateless persons can only enter into contracts with telecommunications operators in person at offices, presenting an identity document and mandatorily using biometric data.
The head of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy, and Veterans Affairs, Yaroslav Nilov, stated that in the context of globalization and increased population mobility, the issue of security is becoming particularly relevant. According to him, considering the growing threats related to terrorism, espionage, fraud, and cyber threats, it is necessary to take measures to limit the ownership of SIM cards by foreigners and stateless persons in Russia.
It should be noted that over the past year, several new laws have been adopted in the State Duma that tighten the already difficult conditions for labor migrants. Alongside this, xenophobic rhetoric has sharply intensified in Russia: raids have increased in dormitories, cafes, and markets, where migrants, especially those from Tajikistan, are subjected to arbitrary detentions, beaten, forcibly taken to military enlistment offices, or even sent to war.
Such laws are aimed at increasing control over migrants. Starting from September 1, 2025, the authorities of Moscow and the Moscow region will begin to monitor the location of incoming migrants to the capital region. The draft law to conduct such an experiment was adopted by State Duma deputies on May 20. Foreigners will be required to register in a “specialized mobile application” and independently provide the Ministry of Internal Affairs with data about their location. Attempting to bypass geolocation control will result in migrants being included in a registry of controlled individuals, which may lead to their expulsion from Russia.
It should be noted that in recent years, there has been a rise in xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiment in Russia. Law enforcement agencies conduct mass raids on the streets, in hostels, cafes, and markets, where migrants are often treated brutally, beaten, and their patents or residence permits are revoked. This particularly affects citizens of Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan. They are also stripped of their residence permits and even citizenship for evading participation in the war in Ukraine.