Russia to Connect Wi-Fi Networks to a Unified Identification System
Russia is planning to develop a unified system for identifying and authorizing users on public Wi-Fi networks across the country. According to RBC, citing a roadmap for the “Information Infrastructure” section of the “Digital Economy” program for 2017-2020, the Ministry of Communications will begin work on this system in the summer of 2018.
The new system will allow for the identification of users and their authorization on Wi-Fi networks nationwide. The completion of the system and the necessary legislative amendments to provide its legal foundation are scheduled for July 2019. The document does not specify technical details about how the system will operate. However, it is known that the system will be integrated with the government’s Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA), which is already used for logging into the public services portal. As of June 2017, ESIA stored data on 50 million Russian citizens, according to the Ministry of Communications.
Current Identification Requirements
Under current Russian law, all legal entities and individual entrepreneurs are required to identify users who connect to public Wi-Fi access points. Identification can be carried out in two ways: by using the user’s current phone number or by their data from ESIA. All connection session data is stored by the network owners. If law enforcement agencies need this information, they can request it from mobile operators or ESIA to determine who accessed the network using a specific number or identifier.
Expert Opinions and Project Feasibility
Experts note that the idea of a unified identification system makes sense, as it would eliminate the need for users to repeatedly authorize themselves. However, they also point out the complexity and questionable feasibility of such a project.
“For full control over network operations, the operator must manage the system independently. Therefore, if we are talking about creating a truly unified authorization system, the viability of this initiative is doubtful,” said Oleg Kapitsyn, Deputy General Director of MaximaTelecom.
The project for a unified Wi-Fi user authorization system is set to be reviewed by Deputy Minister of Communications Dmitry Alkhazov. It is possible that the authorities may not approve further work in this direction, as there are already many proposals within the “Digital Economy” program.