Russia Wants to Require Citizens to Register Smart Home Devices

Russian authorities plan to introduce mandatory registration of “smart home” devices connected to mobile networks. The corresponding bill, “Anti-Fraud 3.0,” was drafted by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media, according to local media reports.

 

This applies to machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, including payment terminals, water and electricity meters, smoke detectors, security alarms, and video cameras.

According to the bill, owners of such devices must enter the installation addresses of the equipment, the numbers associated with it, and personal data into the Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA).

The Ministry of Digital Transformation explained that registration is intended to help combat the use of SIM cards installed in such devices for fraudulent calls and text messages.

For gadgets that are already in use, a transition period will be provided after the new rules take effect, during which they must be registered.

At the same time, telecommunications operators will be required to verify the accuracy of information about devices connected to their networks.

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