Russia Is Building a Digital Passport Alternative for Online Shopping

The new service will let Russians confirm their age through a smartphone instead of flashing an ID at checkout.

Russia is preparing to roll out a digital service that allows shoppers to verify their age online when buying restricted goods. The Center for Biometric Technologies, which oversees the project, says the tool is designed to be a secure and convenient replacement for presenting a physical passport.

The platform will rely on several government systems, including the Unified Biometric System and the Unified Identification and Authentication System. For communication, it will use Max, a Russian-made messenger app. Developers are now finishing user-flow testing, running integration checks, and preparing the service for a full launch.

Officials say the technology will make online shopping more convenient for consumers and more profitable for retailers. Currently, many companies refuse to deliver age-restricted products. The digital passport system promises instant, remote verification of adulthood while also strengthening the protection of personal data.