The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia does not plan to expand the experiment on online sales using biometrics to include alcoholic products – such goods are still prohibited for remote trade. This is stated in the ministry's letter in response to the appeal of Valery Korneev, chairman of the "Digital World" union.
Today, within the framework of online sales with age verification by biometrics, only energy drinks are available. The remote sale of alcohol and tobacco is prohibited by law, and their inclusion can only be discussed if legislation changes.
The Center for Biometric Technologies emphasized that their solutions are aimed at complying with existing rules and protecting minors – through technologies that exclude the human factor. According to the center, the age verification service has proven effective: since December 2025, not a single successful circumvention of the system by minors has been recorded, despite attempts.
The experiment on online sales of energy drinks using biometrics in Russia has been ongoing since December 2025. It is assumed that in the future, the technology may also be applied to other goods with age restrictions.
Earlier, CBT CEO Vladislav Svyatik said that testing online sales of Russian wine could begin in 2026, and wider implementation in 2027. The center notes that such a scenario is possible only with appropriate changes in legislation.
The "Digital World" union considers the response from the Ministry of Digital Development to be confirmation of the effectiveness of public control. According to Valery Korneev, technological development should be aimed at protection, not at promoting harmful habits.
The idea of online alcohol sales has been discussed for several years. In 2021, the Ministry of Finance proposed an experiment with the sale of Russian wine in certain regions with the participation of "Pochta Rossii". However, in January 2025, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov announced that the launch was postponed due to a lack of consensus. The Ministry of Health and Rospotrebnadzor are against it.
In the autumn of 2025, CBT and the Ministry of Digital Development allowed for the possibility of launching an experiment on wine sales with biometrics, but later State Duma deputies and public organizations called for an end to any such initiatives.
The Ministry of Health also emphasized that the sale of alcohol-containing products through marketplaces contradicts state policy to reduce alcohol consumption and prevent alcoholism.
