Russian Authorities Seek Real-Time Access to Bank and Telecom Data
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and the Prosecutor General’s Office are considering granting law enforcement agencies online access to the databases of banks and telecommunications operators. According to law enforcement officials, analyzing combined information in real time would help improve the detection of cybercrimes and speed up the response of all parties involved in such incidents.
As reported by Interfax, this initiative also includes the launch of a new software system—a federal platform containing information about IT-related crimes. The idea of integrating the databases of banks and telecom operators with the MVD’s data bank has long been under consideration, as cybercriminal activity continues to grow and becomes increasingly difficult to detect.
In an interview with the news agency, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sergey Lebedev emphasized that combating crimes committed using information and telecommunication technologies (ICT) is one of the top priorities for the Investigative Department he leads. Moving law enforcement efforts into cyberspace requires new working methods, particularly the analysis of large volumes of data and improved information exchange mechanisms with banks and telecom operators.
“In today’s reality, countering cybercrime requires changes to federal legislation that would allow law enforcement agencies, specifically specialized units, to obtain information in real time from the databases of banking institutions and telecom operators,” said the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.
According to Lebedev, the prompt receipt and analysis of potentially useful information would enable faster responses to ICT crimes, identification of perpetrators, initiation of account blocks, and measures to compensate victims. Banks and telecom operators would also benefit from such cooperation, as it would allow them to systematically prevent and stop criminal activities.
During the interview, the MVD representative also shared results from last year’s preliminary investigations. The number of criminal cases sent to the prosecutor increased by 3.4% compared to 2020, and the number of solved financial crimes rose by 12%. Around 90,000 individuals involved in remote theft were identified—a 32% increase.
Notably, in December, the Investigative Department of the Russian MVD initiated a criminal case against hackers behind REvil. According to updated information, eight arrests and 26 searches were conducted during the investigation. Authorities seized over 300 million rubles, $950,000, more than 1 million euros, and a flash wallet containing 19.9 bitcoins from the suspects. The arrested individuals are charged under Part 2 of Article 187 of the Russian Criminal Code (illegal circulation of payment means as part of an organized group, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million rubles).