Russia Implements Surveillance Measures for SIM Card Purchases in Occupied Ukraine
Starting September 1, Russian authorities will introduce new surveillance mechanisms for the population in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. All retail outlets selling SIM cards will be required to install video surveillance cameras and retain recordings for at least 30 days, reports 24brussels.
From now on, every transaction involving the purchase or exchange of SIM cards will be accompanied by video recording. Furthermore, all numbers registered with the “Gosuslugi” service will undergo verification; any number no longer associated with a user will be “unlinked.”
The National Resistance Center highlights that this initiative aims to enhance control over citizens’ personal data and monitor their communications. Ukrainians are advised to utilize secure communication channels.
Earlier, Reuters reported that starting September 1, the MAX app will become mandatory for pre-installation on all phones and tablets sold in Russia. This state messenger will be integrated with other government online services. Critics argue that this effectively increases the authority’s control over users.
