Russia Proposes National Biometric Database to Combat Phone Fraud
A new initiative calls for building a centralized biometric database of repeat phone fraud offenders in Russia—aiming to bolster citizen protection, reinforce national security, and position Russian cybersecurity solutions for export.
Protecting Citizens and the Financial Sector
Artyom Sheykin, deputy chairman of the Council for Digital Economy Development under the Russian Federation Council, has called for a unified biometric database of individuals involved in phone-based fraud. These scams are increasingly viewed as a national security threat that undermines public trust in both financial institutions and the state.
The database would enhance the fight against repeat offenders and enable more effective collaboration between banks, telecom operators, and government agencies. For citizens, the result could be fewer scam calls and better protection of personal savings. For businesses, the system promises to cut fraud-related losses and restore consumer confidence.
The proposal envisions a standardized approach where all ecosystem participants—banks, mobile operators, and law enforcement—share data under common rules and are held accountable for results. This includes mandatory sharing of call anomalies, mass-dialing patterns, and spoofed-number detection from telecom infrastructure.
Toward Global Cybersecurity Integration
If the system proves technologically viable, it could position Russia as an exporter of anti-fraud technologies. Similar systems are already in demand in the EU and U.S., and there is interest from countries with emerging digital infrastructure, such as India.
In the domestic market, future plans include integration with telecom AI systems for real-time call verification, anomaly filtering, and proactive call blocking. However, successful deployment will require a unified standard, strict legal frameworks (including user consent), legislative updates, and full technical coordination among banks, telecoms, and law enforcement.
Ongoing Global Battle Against Phone Fraud
Banks in Russia began implementing call-blocking features—known as “phone banking”—as early as 2021–2022. These services allow customers to perform certain operations by phone without needing to visit a branch.
In 2023, Russia’s Federal Communications watchdog (Roskomnadzor) tested AI-powered “Anti-Fraud” systems that blocked spoofed calls and SMS before they could reach subscribers. Pilot programs to flag high-risk numbers were deployed across several regions in 2024.
Internationally, similar systems are evolving. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls in early 2024 under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. This marks a broader trend toward nationwide fraud mitigation platforms, moving away from earlier fragmented approaches.
A Long-Term, Multi-Stakeholder Effort
The initiative is expected to roll out over one to two years and will require significant investments in infrastructure, legal updates, and interagency collaboration. A pilot phase will be launched in key cities before national implementation.
Lawmakers anticipate it will take six to twelve months to draft and pass the required legislation. By 2026–2027, the system could be operational in major urban centers. If successful, it could offer export opportunities for Russian cybersecurity firms, especially in regions lacking advanced telecom fraud defense systems.
