Russia Enacts New Legal Measures to Combat Cyber Fraud

Starting June 2025, Russian banks, telecom companies, and government services will be barred from using foreign messengers to contact citizens in an effort to protect personal data.

This summer, legislative amendments aimed at curbing cyber fraud will go into effect across Russia. The news was announced by State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin on his Telegram channel.

Beginning in June 2025, banks, telecom operators, marketplaces, and government bodies will no longer be allowed to send communications to Russian citizens via foreign messaging platforms. The measure is intended to safeguard users’ personal data from cybercriminals, who often operate internationally.

Additionally, one-time passwords (OTPs) for accessing the Gosuslugi government services portal will no longer be delivered during phone calls—a vulnerability that fraudsters frequently exploit by pressuring victims in real-time.

These updates are part of a broader initiative to reduce the billions of rubles lost each year to online fraud. Cybercrime is a global issue, but Russian lawmakers believe these changes signal a decisive step forward in the nation’s cybersecurity defense strategy.