Russian Telecoms and Volunteers Launch New Tech to Find Missing Persons

Russia is turning to mobile geolocation to aid in search-and-rescue missions, as legal barriers are lifted for telecom operators to share data.

A new digital tool aimed at locating missing persons has been launched by Russian mobile operator MTS in partnership with the volunteer organization Liza Alert. While the two groups have worked together for years, privacy laws had previously prevented operators from sharing location data—even though such data is key in emergency searches.

Now, with legal and technical hurdles resolved, MTS users can opt into the service via the company’s mobile app. If a person goes missing, their GPS coordinates, connections to cell towers, and Wi-Fi network data will be transmitted to search-and-rescue teams. Location data will be shared with a precision of up to 150 meters as soon as a formal request is filed.

Another telecom provider, Beeline (PJSC VimpelCom), is also assisting Liza Alert by maintaining a 24/7 hotline for volunteers. The company is now working with lawmakers to amend Russia’s communication law to distinguish between 'sensitive' and 'public-interest' personal data.

As technology becomes increasingly critical in public safety, these services offer a glimpse into how telecoms can help save lives.