Telecom Operators Resist Sharing Subscriber Data with Roskomnadzor Without Court Order

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media has proposed that, starting in December, telecom operators begin providing Roskomnadzor with passport details of corporate SIM card owners, employer information, equipment data, and the IMSI—each SIM card’s unique identifier. However, major operators such as MTS, VimpelCom, and Tele2 argue that this information is considered communication secrecy and should not be shared without a court order, according to a report by Kommersant.

Background: New Law Against “Gray” SIM Cards

Last December, Russia enacted a law aimed at combating the use of so-called “gray” SIM cards, which authorities claim are often used by terrorists. The Ministry is now preparing a clarifying document specifying exactly what information about corporate subscribers operators must provide to the authorities. The proposal would require operators to submit passport data of corporate SIM card owners, employer details, equipment information, and the IMSI number to Roskomnadzor as early as December.

Concerns Over Data Security and Privacy

Telecom operators are concerned that collecting subscriber connection data and SIM card identifiers in a unified system could lead to data leaks. As a result, they have proposed that such sensitive information should only be provided to Roskomnadzor following a court decision, since the requested data is protected as communication secrecy under Russian law.

Government Response

The Ministry of Digital Development maintains that the proposed legislation complies with federal law. Roskomnadzor, in turn, argues that the requested data set is minimal and necessary for verifying the accuracy of information in operators’ subscriber databases, which will help identify unauthorized or “gray” SIM cards.