The government is discussing new restrictions for M2M-SIM cards — Machine-to-Machine, meaning SIM cards for data exchange between devices. They are used in sensors, ATMs, cars, and other equipment, Kommersant writes, citing industry sources.
Such cards may be singled out into a separate category, users may be required to undergo additional identification, and calls and SMS may be prohibited on them. The idea is for M2M cards to work only for data transmission.
Currently, they are often registered to companies, and fraudsters, according to market participants, can resell ordinary voice SIM cards under the guise of M2M, bypassing registration with passport data.
The main goal of the amendments is to close the loophole for fraudsters where M2M SIMs are used for spam calls. They want to deprive them of voice and SMS so that they work only for their intended purpose.
Separately, the authorities are discussing rules for eSIMs: Russians may be prohibited from issuing electronic SIM cards from abroad. These measures could potentially be included in the third package of anti-fraud amendments, but there is no final decision yet.
There may be about 60 million M2M cards on the market — approximately one-fifth of all active SIM cards in Russia. The new requirements should close the gray area around such connections and complicate the use of corporate cards for spam and fraudulent calls.