Russia to Verify Phone Numbers Linked to State Services Portal in Bid to Fight Cybercrime

The government plans to disconnect outdated numbers from digital accounts, making it harder for hackers to hijack identities.

The Russian government has approved a plan to verify mobile numbers tied to the country’s main e-government portal, Gosuslugi. The measure targets cases where citizens use their phone number to register or log in to state information systems.

Under the new rules, numbers will be checked against their current owners. If the listed user is no longer the subscriber, the number will be unlinked from the account.

Officials say the step is designed to curb cybercrime, making it far more difficult for attackers to seize control of someone else’s digital identity and steal personal data.

The rollout involves Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, the Ministry of Finance, the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Economic Development, Roskomnadzor, and the Federal Security Service. The program is scheduled to take effect by the fourth quarter of 2026.

Security experts in Russia have also reminded citizens what to do if they suspect their Gosuslugi account has been hacked: change the password immediately, review recent activity, and report any unauthorized actions—such as requests for personal data—directly to the police.