The Russian government has taken decisive action to combat phone fraud by abolishing the licensing of IP telephony services, which many criminals have exploited to manipulate caller identity. The new regulation, signed and published recently, aims to curb the rising trend of fraudulent calls and is due to take effect on September 1, 2025.
IP telephony, which allows voice communications over the internet, has increasingly been used by fraudsters who take advantage of its capabilities to spoof caller IDs. According to recent government reports, these changes signify serious restrictions are being placed on such activities to close avenues previously exploited by voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) scamming schemes. The government stated, "Now this kind of phone fraud will be seriously restricted since the possibility of connecting data transmission networks to communication networks will be excluded."
The issue has reached alarming proportions, with reports indicating over 100,000 instances of related fraud resulting in significant financial losses to victims. The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has been advocating for stricter measures against these fraudulent practices and indicated their recommendation to restrict IP telephony services has been acted upon with this new policy.
Despite the stringent regulations, government officials have reassured the public, emphasizing, "The usual users of telephone services will not be affected due to this innovation." Regular users, especially those utilizing voice services through popular messaging apps, can continue their communication unimpeded. The government clarified, "People who use voice communication through messengers use specialized programs ensuring communication strictly through the internet, bypassing the fixed and mobile networks altogether." This distinction is key to consumers as it means their daily communication methods remain intact and functional.
Still, the government's stance emphasizes more than just safeguarding ordinary citizens. The measures are reflective of broader concerns around public safety, particularly within the digital space, as highlighted by the head of Roskomnadzor, Andrey Lipov, who noted, "About 70% of fraudulent calls via messengers originate from abroad." This statistic suggests the magnitude of the issue extends beyond domestic boundaries, complicifying the challenge of curtailing such fraud.
The authorities have been particularly proactive, noting their desire to prevent any resurgence of cyber crimes and to maintain trust within the telecommunications infrastructure. Reports show the rise of scams associated with internet communications correlates with the use of sophisticated methods employed by criminals, allowing them to present themselves falsely as legitimate entities, often banks or service providers.
The Ministry of Digital Development has reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of communications, claiming, "The measures will create safer conditions for users and reduce the number of fraudulent calls." These changes are expected to bolster user confidence among citizens wary of engaging with potential fraud. By enforcing stricter licensing requirements, the Russian government seeks to curtail the tactics of deceitful individuals attempting to gain access to personal or financial information by impacting legitimate operators who comply with the laws.
The government has provided sufficient time for operators to adapt to these new regulations, clarifying all necessary licensing updates must be through compliance within the stipulated five-day processing timeframe without additional fees. This transition period allows for operators to align their services adequately before the law enforces stringent regulations against technologies enabling fraud.
Conclusively, this recent shift marks significant progress for Russian authorities aiming to preserve public safety and confidence within telecommunications. With increasing reports of phone fraud, such regulations seek to create more secure communication environments for users, potentially reducing the allure of easy profit for fraudulent activities.