The Ministry of Digital Development commented on information that appeared today in a number of media outlets stating that from September 1, 2026, Russian civil servants, employees of the Central Bank, and other structures may be prohibited from using foreign messengers for work purposes. The ministry noted that "incorrect information has spread online" and explained the actual state of affairs regarding the development of the bill.
The initiative is still being finalized. Currently, it only concerns the interaction of government employees and banks with external clients. Employees will be able to contact them through Russian messengers after confirmation through the Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA). This will prevent fraud, such as unauthorized debiting of funds or loan processing.
ESIA ensures secure user identification and reliable protection of their data. For example, if someone writes to a citizen on behalf of a bank through a foreign messenger, it will be a clear sign of fraud, as official communication will only be through verified channels from verified employees. Government employees have long been using domestic "Sreda" services for work and interdepartmental interaction, which cover more than 60 departments.
The ministry emphasized that this initiative is only part of a set of measures to reduce and prevent cyber fraud, developed by the Ministry of Digital Development jointly with the Bank of Russia and law enforcement agencies.
Earlier it became known that the Russian economy could lose up to a trillion rubles by the end of 2024 due to cyberattacks.
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