Carsharing in Russia May Be Linked to ESIA to Simplify User Identification
If a regulatory framework is put in place and ESIA is integrated into carsharing systems, using these services could become simpler, while the number of fake accounts and fraud cases would decline.
Support From the Ministry
Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development has formally informed State Duma deputies that carsharing services may voluntarily join an experimental program using Edinaya sistema identifikatsii i autentifikatsii (Unified System of Identification and Authentication), or ESIA, to verify users. At present, carsharing companies register and confirm driver identities manually – through application forms, document photos, and selfies. ESIA, the state-run identification system used to access Gosuslugi (Public Services Portal) and other government platforms, could be used to streamline these procedures. The ministry has endorsed the initiative, but there are currently no legal grounds to make such integration mandatory. A dedicated regulatory framework would need to be developed.
Using ESIA could play a constructive role in the development of Russia’s carsharing market and in improving service quality. Integration would simplify user onboarding for operators – less manual verification would mean faster access to vehicles. At the same time, data security would improve and the risk of fraud would decline. The move would also accelerate the broader digitalization of transport services and, from an infrastructure perspective, could be seen as a step toward extending a state-backed digital identifier into commercial sectors. For users, this would translate into a more convenient experience with minimal manual steps.
A Key Element
If ESIA integration were to become a standard across carsharing platforms, it could simplify customer onboarding for all operators, reduce registration times, and ease the workload on customer support teams. Improved identity verification would also lower the share of fake profiles and fraudulent activity. For now, the initiative remains experimental, and binding legal grounds for mandatory adoption have yet to be developed. The Ministry of Digital Development has indicated it is prepared to participate in drafting the necessary legal framework.
Should the innovation prove successful, Russia could move toward standardizing a government-backed digital profile as a core identification tool not only for public services but also for commercial platforms. If successful use cases emerge in transport, similar solutions could extend to other sectors that require strict identity verification, including fintech, property purchases and rentals, and healthcare. That said, a full rollout would require careful risk assessment. Key challenges include adapting carsharing IT systems to ESIA information security requirements and amending existing legislation.
Expanding Integration
Russia already has examples of successful ESIA integration into online services. One notable case is an experiment allowing users to authorize through Gosuslugi on classified and recruitment platforms such as Avito and HeadHunter. This approach increased trust and transaction security. A similar effect has been observed in real estate listings, where Gosuslugi authorization has been integrated into rental advertisements on the Cian platform.
Following these successful applications, ESIA has been extended to regional public service portals and the broader e-government infrastructure. Biometric data has also been integrated into the ESIA database to enable enhanced access and authentication options.
Part of a Broader Ecosystem
The proposed initiative represents a logical next step in integrating state digital identifiers into commercial services. For carsharing, ESIA could become a new authorization standard, improving user convenience, reducing fraud, and accelerating the digital transformation of the transport sector. The main barrier remains legal regulation, which must provide a clear and secure foundation for large-scale integration between ESIA and private-sector IT systems.
If the experiment succeeds and a regulatory framework is established, by 2028 integrated ESIA-based verification could become widespread across carsharing, vehicle rentals, housing rentals, financial services, and e-commerce, forming part of Russia’s unified digital ecosystem.
