On January 1, 2025, new rules for paying for mobile communications came into force in Russia, which make the use of cash to replenish the balance much more difficult.
According to Federal Law No. 126-FZ "On Communications", before replenishing an account with cash, the payer must be identified either through the Public Services portal or provide passport data. This change affects payment terminals, banks, telecom operators and payment agents.
Anonymous payment through self-service terminals becomes impossible: all such transactions require identity verification. To do this, the terminals will be equipped with a function for scanning QR codes, which users will be able to generate on the "Gosuslugi" portal. When visiting operator offices, a passport and consent to the processing of personal data will be required.
Experts predict that the new rules will accelerate the transition of citizens to non-cash payments. At the same time, they note that for elderly people and those who rarely use digital services, registration and work with Public Services may become a challenge. Perhaps additional solutions will be offered for such categories.
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