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Kyrgyz MPs Propose Ban on Pornographic Websites

A group of Kyrgyz parliamentarians has introduced draft legislation aimed at banning the distribution of pornographic content online. The proposal, currently under review, has sparked a mixed response among lawmakers. The bill seeks to restrict access to websites hosting pornographic material and establish legal liability for their distribution. Under the draft law, the Ministry of Digital Development would be required to block access to online resources featuring prohibited content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint. Alternatively, the site owners must remove the content upon request from an authorized state body. If they fail to comply, the site could be blocked for up to two months. The bill also grants any citizen the right to file a complaint with authorities if they encounter pornographic content online. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from some MPs. Deputy Dastan Bekeshev questioned whether the proposed legislation duplicates existing laws. He pointed out that Kyrgyzstan already has legal provisions banning harmful content for children, including pornography. “Do we need another law? Isn’t the previous one enough? We’ve already banned child pornography. Maybe adults should be allowed access to such content, at least with a password?” he asked. “In Japan, for example, people watch pornography, and nothing happens, the country continues to develop. If you ban everything online, people will start looking for it on the streets.” Bekeshev argued that while the goal may be to promote public morality, such measures often fail and can even be counterproductive. “We need to begin with ourselves and lead by example,” he added. In response, Marat Togaev, Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy, explained that the current law only permits blocking websites registered within Kyrgyzstan. The new bill, he said, is designed to extend enforcement to websites regardless of jurisdiction. Following parliamentary debate, the bill passed its first reading. Togaev noted that while telecom operators have the technical capability to block pornographic websites, they cannot prevent users from accessing such content via VPNs.

Cyberattacks Cyber Security Internet

Ongoing DDoS Attack Disrupts Kazakhstan’s Digital Infrastructure

Kazakhstan is experiencing a large-scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that is disrupting online services across government portals, banking systems, and telecommunications networks. The attack, which began earlier this week, has overwhelmed servers by bombarding them with excessive traffic, rendering critical digital infrastructure inaccessible for thousands of users. The Impact on National Systems The scope of the attack has significantly hobbled online platforms that citizens and organizations rely on for essential services. Users have reported interruptions when attempting to access online banking, state-run portals for taxes, and public resource management services. Government resources have been severely affected, whilst for businesses the inability to process digital transactions has caused massive delays, leading to e-commerce platforms and retailers that depend on online payment systems facing revenue losses. Financial institutions are working to secure their systems, fearing that the attack may escalate into data breaches or ransomware targeting client information. Potential Sources Behind the Attack While no official statement about the source of the attack has been released, cybersecurity experts are pointing to several possibilities. One theory suggests that the attack may involve political motives, aimed at destabilizing Kazakhstan’s government services and undermining public confidence. Others speculate that the incident may stem from cybercriminal groups seeking financial gain through extortion tactics. Other analysts are not discounting the possibility of foreign state actors. Given increasing geopolitical tensions in the region, such cyberattacks could potentially serve as acts of digital retaliation or covert intervention. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the attack, and no group has publicly claimed responsibility. Official Responses and Mitigation Efforts Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry has acknowledged the severity of the attack in an official statement. Authorities are currently coordinating with cybersecurity experts to neutralize the attack and minimize public impact. Technical teams have implemented measures such as traffic filtering and rerouting protocols to handle excessive server requests. While some government websites have been partially restored, slow loading speeds and occasional downtime persist. The ministry is urging organizations and individuals to strengthen online security by regularly updating firewalls and staying vigilant against phishing attempts that often accompany large-scale attacks. Additionally, Kazakhstan's cybersecurity response teams are collaborating with international partners to identify vulnerabilities and enhance digital defenses. This incident highlights the growing need for robust cybersecurity frameworks, particularly in an interconnected world increasingly reliant on digital services. Significance of the Attack This ongoing DDoS attack underscores how vulnerable national infrastructure can be to cyber threats. Potentially targeting critical systems like financial networks or telecommunications, these attacks can undermine public trust in a nation’s institutions and disrupt economic stability. Kazakhstan, like many nations, has increased investment in digital technologies, making cybersecurity a top priority. However, the attack reveals gaps in protection and the urgent need for advanced, preemptive measures to safeguard essential systems. With a rising tide of global cyber threats, addressing these vulnerabilities will play a critical role in protecting both national security and the economy going forward. For now, Kazakhstan continues to battle the...

Limited access SIM cards Children Digitalization Internet

Kazakhstan to Require Parents to Purchase Special SIM Cards for Children

Kazakhstan plans to introduce special SIM cards for children, limiting their access to the internet. Deputy Minister of Education Yedil Ospan announced the initiative on March 12, stating that discussions are ongoing with authorized government agencies as part of a comprehensive plan. “We assume that operators should issue special SIM cards intended for use by children. That is, a parent will be obliged to buy these very SIM cards for their children,” Ospan said. According to him, these SIM cards will include built-in security filters restricting access to inappropriate content, including certain websites and social networks. Parents will also be able to monitor their child’s phone usage and track their location through a dedicated application. Ospan emphasized that while Kazakhstan already offers children’s mobile plans with access to educational resources, they do not provide full control over internet safety. The new initiative aims to enhance digital protection for minors. Research from Kazakhstan Kids Online indicates that official access to digital platforms is permitted from age 13. However, 60% of children aged 9-10 and 66% of those aged 11-12 already have personal internet accounts. In response, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with experts, is developing legislative amendments to strengthen internet safety measures for children. The introduction of child-specific SIM cards is part of broader efforts to regulate mobile communications in Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Digital Development has also proposed limiting individuals to a maximum of 10 SIM cards, although this measure remains under discussion.

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The Twilight of Starlink in Kazakhstan?

For every country in the world, the appearance of the internet has presented vast possibilities but also formidable challenges. This was especially true in Central Asia where the governments are obsessed with controlling information that can be accessed by the public. Kazakhstan is unique among the Central Asian states in that the Kazakh government has expended significant energy and resources to make Kazakhstan a modern country with a tech savvy population. Control over the internet remains an issue and has sparked a debate in Kazakhstan about the use of foreign telecommunications satellites. Countrywide Connections In late 2024, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development stirred controversy by proposing new regulations on imports of telecommunications equipment. One proposal would ban the use of equipment from foreign companies that do not have control centers inside Kazakhstan. In December 2024, the Digital Development Ministry specifically named Inmarsat, Thuraya, Iridium, and Starlink as targets for a usage ban. Kazakhstan actually has a national security law that “prohibits the establishment and operation of communication networks within Kazakhstan if their control centers are based outside the country.” However, Kazakhstan is a large country with most of its population living in roughly the eastern third of its territory. Cities, towns, and villages scattered across the western two-thirds of Kazakhstan are poorly connected to the internet and Kazakh authorities started discussions with Musk’s SpaceX about use of Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX with a network of satellites. In October 2023, Kazakh authorities “introduced broadband internet in ten rural schools using Starlink technology in a test mode.” The pilot project envisioned sending Starlink terminals to 2,000 schools. By April 2024, the system was already connecting 447 rural schools to the internet, and by August the number had climbed to 1,731 schools. Kill Switch Required In November 2023, the director of the Ministry of Digital Development’s Telecommunications Committee, Dias Tolegenov, warned citizens that private use of Starliink terminals was illegal in Kazakhstan. The “current version” of Starlink “violates current (Kazakh) legislation, as it does not meet safety requirements,” Telugenov said. This ban is still In effect. In May 2024, the director of Kazakhstan’s Kokterek Space Communications Center, Roman Ermashov, reiterated that according to Kazakhstan’s laws, “projects using foreign satellite communication systems in non-geostationary satellite orbits,” such as Starlink, must have “a gateway (interface) station on the territory of Kazakhstan.” SpaceX refused to install the station in Kazakhstan. “This is about safety,” Ermashov said, “Because if any information security incident occurs, such as a data leak, everyone turns to the state.” This comment by Ermashov cuts to the heart of the matter. During the mass unrest in Kazakhstan in January 2022, authorities cut off the internet around the country to prevent protesters from coordinating their actions or releasing information about what was happening to the world outside Kazakhstan. Later that same year, Tajikistan ‘s government cut off the internet connection to the eastern Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast during unrest, and Uzbek authorities did the same to the western Karakalpakstan Republic when violence broke out...

Internet e-Commerce Digital Technologies Digital Service

Foreign Online Marketplaces to Be Registered in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, has proposed introducing regulations requiring foreign online marketplaces operating in the country to register on a dedicated electronic platform. The proposal was discussed during a government meeting on e-commerce development held on January 14. As outlined by Shakkaliyev, the mandatory conditions for these platforms would include: Compliance with product safety standards; Measures to combat counterfeit products; Protection of consumer rights and personal data; and Adherence to tax and customs transparency requirements. Addressing Consumer Complaints The proposed measures aim to address a growing number of complaints from Kazakh citizens about foreign online trading platforms. Many of these platforms operate outside of Kazakhstan's jurisdiction, making it difficult - if not impossible - for customers to return or exchange goods due to geographic distances. Furthermore, goods purchased through foreign marketplaces often lack certification in Kazakhstan, raising concerns over product safety and quality. The Rise of E-Commerce in Kazakhstan In 2023, purchases on foreign online marketplaces in Kazakhstan totaled $1.3 billion, accounting for about 20% of the country’s total online sales. The sector continues to grow, with new foreign platforms entering the market. Notably, Russian marketplaces Ozon and Wildberries plan to establish three fulfillment centers in Astana and Almaty in 2024, with a combined area of 291,000 square meters. Kazakhstan’s e-commerce industry has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, e-commerce transactions from January to November 2024 amounted to approximately 3.2 trillion KZT (over $6 billion), representing 14.5% of the total retail trade and creating over 300,000 jobs. The government aims to increase e-commerce's share in total retail trade to 18.5% by 2029. Comparative Trends and Local Initiatives The Times of Central Asia previously reported that in 2023, Kazakhstan's e-commerce volume exceeded 2.2 trillion KZT ($4.8 billion), accounting for 13% of all retail trade - an increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year. In addition to regulating foreign platforms, Kazakhstan is fostering its domestic e-commerce sector. Recently, a new local online marketplace, Teez, was launched, with investments totaling $50 million. Teez boasts its own infrastructure, further strengthening the country's digital economy.

Media Freedom Social Media public opinion Public Security Mass Media Internet Legislation

Kyrgyzstan to Impose Fines for Online Insult and Libel

The Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, has approved a bill in its second reading to impose fines for insult and libel on the Internet. Initially criticized for its steep penalties, the fines have been reduced fivefold following public backlash. The bill was first introduced to the parliamentary committee in June. Public dissatisfaction arose over the high penalties it proposed, which included fines of 100,000 KGS ($1,200) for individuals and 200,000 KGS ($2,400) for legal entities. Kyrgyz Ombudsman Jamilya Dzhamanbaeva was among the first to voice opposition, arguing that the fines were “unreasonably high” and violated the principle of proportionality. Media representatives also demanded public consultations, emphasizing that laws affecting citizens' rights and media freedom require parliamentary hearings under Article 115 of Kyrgyz law. Responding to the widespread criticism, lawmakers amended the bill to reduce the fines by 80%. “It is every citizen's absolute right to criticize the authorities. But every criticism must have a ‘red line’ that no one is allowed to cross. Constructive criticism should never be perceived as an offense by government bodies,” said social activist Alisher Tashmatov, speaking to The Times of Central Asia. Tashmatov supported the need for libel laws, pointing out that false information, particularly targeting high-ranking officials during election seasons, is a growing concern in Kyrgyzstan. Guli Almambetova, former head of the Bishkek City Hall press service, shared her perspective, having faced numerous online insults during her tenure. While unpleasant, she said such criticism often provided valuable insights into municipal shortcomings. “This kind of unflattering feedback helped us analyze the performance of city services and address specific issues,” Almambetova explained. Known for her blunt social media commentary, she also acknowledged that her sharp exchanges with citizens spurred her to establish press services within municipal agencies to handle complaints more constructively. Almambetova stressed the importance of balancing responsibility and freedom of expression: “A system of accountability for one’s words is essential. Citizens should channel their grievances about poor public service through proper contacts. That’s how we grow as a society and find the balance between insult and constructive criticism.” Until such a balance is achieved, however, the state is adopting stricter measures to curb online hostilities toward public officials and institutions.