In a decisive move to combat the escalating crisis of telephone and internet fraud that has plagued its citizens, the government of Kazakhstan has implemented a sweeping new regulation requiring mandatory biometric identification for all mobile phone subscribers. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, this policy, effective from the start of 2026, aims to dismantle the anonymity that has long enabled financial criminals. Under the new framework, activating any new SIM card is now contingent upon the subscriber successfully completing a biometric verification process, primarily through facial scanning. This stringent requirement applies not only to individual citizens but also to legal entities, ensuring that employees issued corporate SIM cards are also biometrically registered. The core objective is to create an accountable and transparent telecommunications environment where every mobile number is irrefutably linked to a verified identity, thereby erecting a significant barrier against the fraudulent schemes that rely on untraceable, disposable numbers to operate.
A Multifaceted Strategy Against Fraud
Beyond the cornerstone of biometric verification, the government has rolled out a series of complementary measures designed to disrupt the operational tactics of scammers. A key component of this broader strategy is a new restriction that caps the number of SIM cards an individual can register for personal and family use at ten. Anyone seeking to exceed this limit must provide documented justification and specify the exact devices for which the additional SIMs are intended. This rule directly targets the widespread practice of mass-registering SIM cards, a common method used by fraudulent operations to cycle through numbers and evade detection. By limiting the ease with which large quantities of anonymous numbers can be acquired, the regulation strikes at the logistical foundation of many scam networks. This comprehensive approach ensures that both technological and regulatory loopholes are closed, creating a more secure ecosystem for all mobile users, from individual consumers to large corporations providing mobile services to their staff.
Forging a Collaborative Defense
The new anti-fraud initiative also established a robust framework for institutional collaboration, recognizing that technological solutions alone are insufficient. The regulations mandated a significant expansion of cooperation between mobile operators and the National Bank of Kazakhstan’s Anti-Fraud Center. Under this directive, mobile carriers were obligated to actively monitor their networks for suspicious activities, such as traffic originating from SIM boxes, and to promptly report these findings along with relevant subscriber information to the center for immediate investigation. This created a direct line of communication and a clear protocol for a rapid response. Consequently, if an investigation confirmed fraudulent activity, the associated mobile number was to be blocked without delay. Furthermore, this policy laid the groundwork for future legislation that introduced the concept of joint liability for banks and mobile carriers in fraud cases that occurred through their respective infrastructures, signaling a paradigm shift toward shared responsibility in protecting consumers.
