Russia Prepares New Measures to Curb Cyber Fraud
International calls to seniors may be restricted, and child SIM cards will block verification codes
Russia is preparing a new package of measures to combat cyber fraud, Forbes reported. The bill is currently being prepared for its second reading. It includes a ban on international phone calls to people over the age of 60 via landline phones. Users will also be able to set a self-imposed restriction on receiving such calls.
The changes will also affect child SIM cards. According to the draft law, verification codes will not be sent to these numbers.
Protecting Children
The legislation will formalize the right of parents to notify mobile operators when a SIM card is used by a child. Social media platforms and other information distributors will be required to verify whether a phone number belongs to an adult or a minor.
Many telecom operators already offer or are developing their own solutions to protect children from cyber fraud. The introduction of content labeling on social media platforms is also under discussion.
An earlier package of measures adopted in 2025 helped reduce the number of fraud victims. According to the Interior Ministry, cybercrime cases decreased by 12%.
