Kazakhstan Introduces Mandatory Biometric ID for Mobile Phone Subscribers

Kazakhstan is implementing mandatory biometric identification for all new mobile phone subscribers as part of broader efforts to combat telephone and internet fraud, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has announced. The ministry noted that the country already enforces several measures to address SIM card misuse, including efforts to prevent fraud, illegal SIM registration, and the use of devices for mass calls and bulk messaging. From the start of 2026, these safeguards will be tightened further. Under the new regulations, SIM cards will only be issued after biometric identification is completed. Communication services will not be activated until the subscriber's identity is verified through facial scanning. The policy applies to both individuals and legal entities. “For businesses and organizations, this requirement also applies to employees issued SIM cards for work-related purposes. Biometric identification eliminates anonymous number usage and increases accountability,” the ministry stated. Authorities expect the measure to curb illegal SIM sales via dealers and intermediaries. Regardless of where a number is purchased, service activation will only occur once the end user’s identity is confirmed. Additionally, a cap has been introduced on the number of SIM cards that can be registered to a single individual: up to ten for personal and family use. Exceeding this limit requires documented justification and identification of the devices in which the extra SIMs will be used. “This approach reduces the risk of mass SIM registration, a hallmark of fraudulent operations,” the ministry added. A key component of the new anti-fraud framework is the expansion of collaboration between mobile operators and the Anti-Fraud Center of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. This cooperation is intended to ensure the swift identification and deactivation of numbers linked to criminal activity. “In the case of suspicious calls or SMS messages, including those made using SIM boxes, telecom operators will relay subscriber information to the National Bank's Anti-Fraud Center and launch an investigation. If fraud is confirmed, the number will be blocked immediately and telecom services suspended,” the ministry explained. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan also intends to introduce joint liability for banks and mobile operators in cases of internet fraud perpetrated through their infrastructure.

Face Pay, Palm Scans, and AI Cameras: Inside Kazakhstan’s Digital Transformation

Daily life in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, increasingly resembles scenes from a futuristic film. Subway fares can be paid with a glance, schoolchildren enter campuses by scanning their palms, and traffic flows are monitored by an expansive video surveillance system. With just a smartphone, citizens can apply for a marriage license, open a business, or access official documents within seconds. Kazakhstan has embraced rapid digitalization, positioning itself as a regional leader in GovTech and fintech. Authorities promote this trajectory as a means to create a secure and efficient environment, and the public has largely welcomed it. The country now boasts one of the world’s highest penetration rates for cashless payments and digital services. Yet the swift adoption of emerging technologies has brought new challenges. The digital infrastructure is evolving faster than the country’s legal frameworks can adapt, raising concerns among experts about how to balance technological convenience, public safety, and the right to privacy. Biometric Security or Overreach? Kazakhstan’s biometric systems are being integrated into a growing ecosystem of everyday services. A prominent example is the Alaqan system in schools, which replaces traditional entry cards with palm-scanning technology. Currently in a pilot phase at nearly 300 schools, the government plans to expand the system nationwide within the next two to three years, should it prove to be successful. Supporters argue this enhances child safety by preventing unauthorized access. Critics, however, warn that it also involves building a vast biometric database of minors, requiring unprecedented security protocols. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Digital Development is rolling out a national video surveillance network powered by artificial intelligence. The system, which integrates citywide cameras into a unified platform, will enable real-time facial and license plate recognition and detect incidents such as fights, large gatherings, or abandoned items. Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev described the system as a tool to monitor public safety 24/7. Equipment Dependence and Strategic Risk Much of Kazakhstan’s surveillance infrastructure relies on equipment from major Chinese companies such as Hikvision and Dahua. Their products are favored for their cost-effectiveness, but concerns have been raised internationally over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and potential data access “backdoors.” Several U.S. and EU countries have imposed restrictions on these firms for national security reasons. In Kazakhstan, which pursues a multi-vector foreign policy, the issue is viewed more as technical than political. Experts recommend diversifying suppliers and enforcing strict data encryption protocols, regardless of the origin of the equipment. Kazakhstan’s exposure to cybersecurity risks became clear in February 2024, when a leak involving the Chinese firm iSoon compromised databases belonging to local telecom operators and targeted government institutions, including the Unified Pension Fund. The incident prompted an urgent reassessment of data security practices. Centralized data hubs, experts noted, can only function securely if accompanied by significant investment in cybersecurity infrastructure. Legislation Lagging Behind While Kazakhstan has a law on personal data, experts argue it is outdated, particularly given the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into public systems. Recent legislative amendments now allow biometric identification to...