The Association of Internet Commerce Companies AKİT recently asked Valentina Matvienko, the Chairperson of the Russian Federation Council, and Andrey Klishas, who leads the Constitutional Legislation and State Building Commission, to consider permitting online alcohol sales with a QR code verification process. This request was reported by the News outlet in a feature about evolving regulatory ideas surrounding consumer access to alcohol in Russia.
In a piece authored by AKİT’s president, Artem Sokolov, the proposal describes a system where buyers would first authenticate their identity using Gosuslug, obtain a unique QR code, and then present that code to the courier upon delivery. The article emphasizes that the proposal centers on digital identity verification to control who can purchase alcoholic beverages online. The suggestion hinges on the idea that a verified QR code would become a gatekeeper, ensuring that only eligible consumers receive alcohol orders, thereby potentially reducing illegal online sales.
Sokolov notes that many Russians who buy alcohol online may not fully grasp that such a regime could frame online alcohol commerce as a regulated activity rather than an open marketplace. This concern highlights the risk of counterfeit or substandard products entering the market, which could pose serious health and safety hazards. Analysts at Group-IB have previously flagged that the Russian shadow alcohol market operates online, with activity tracing back to 2021 and reporting a significant online turnover. The broader implication for consumers in Russia, and for international observers, is a warning about the potential consequences of inadequate verification systems and the importance of robust oversight to prevent illicit sales and protect public health. For audiences outside Russia, this discussion echoes familiar debates about digitized age checks, secure identity verification, and the role of government services in regulating online commerce across borders.