Russia has escalated its surveillance of immigrants, mandating voice and facial data registration for phone validation, a move that has already sparked debate. The Kremlin asserts this immigrant surveillance is a security imperative amidst the ongoing conflict, setting a compliance deadline of July 1st. this directive, however, raises serious privacy concerns, given the potential for misuse of biometric data in a nation already utilizing extensive AI-driven facial recognition. The new regulations also limit school enrollment for immigrant children. News Directory 3 is closely following these developments. Discover what’s next as these policies reshape daily life for immigrants in Russia.
Russia Tightens Immigrant Surveillance with Mandatory Biometric Data
Moscow is implementing stricter surveillance measures on immigrants, requiring them to register their faces and voices in government databases to validate their telephone numbers. The deadline for compliance is July 1, and failure to comply will effectively cut off access to essential services.
Russian authorities insist the immigrant surveillance is necessary for security, notably during the conflict with Ukraine. However, the policy is viewed by some as another step toward increased control in a country already heavily monitored by AI-powered facial recognition systems. These systems track individuals’ movements throughout Moscow.
Immigrants are facing long queues at designated “Moi Dokumby” offices, located on the city’
