Russian Shoppers Can Now Verify Their Age With a QR Code in MAX
Russia is rolling out digital ID technology that lets shoppers prove their age through a government-backed messenger app—no plastic cards, no personal data exposure.
In Russia, confirming your age at the checkout counter just got a digital upgrade. The national messenger MAX has introduced a QR-based digital ID that allows shoppers to verify their age at self-service registers. The feature is now live in 133 Magnit supermarkets across the Novosibirsk region, according to regional officials.
The system, tested by Sergey Tsukar, the region’s Minister of Digital Development and Communications, pulls verified data from Gosuslugi, Russia’s government services platform. The QR code refreshes every 30 seconds, works only on the user’s device, and requires biometric authentication for access.
Digital ID Expands Nationwide
To activate the feature, MAX users must first create their digital ID through Gosuslugi. Once set up, shoppers can confirm their age at checkout by scanning the QR code—an especially useful option for purchasing alcohol or other age-restricted products.
The feature launched in pilot mode on September 15, first appearing in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Moscow region, and Chelyabinsk. Following successful trials, the technology is now being scaled nationwide, marking another step in Russia’s push toward a digitally integrated retail ecosystem.
