Vladislav Povolotsky, who serves as the Director General of the Center for Biometric Technologies, has stated that a vast collection of face and voice samples belonging to Russian citizens resides within a unified biometric system. He shared these details in an interview reported by News. The scale of the repository underscores the nation’s commitment to biometric data resources and their potential role in public and financial administration.
Povolotsky explained that tens of millions of Russians have already had their biometric data moved into the system under state protection. The transition from Russian banking institutions has progressed substantially, with data transfer more than eight tenths complete. The majority of organizations have already submitted biometric data to the central database, provided by consenting users. This move marks a significant shift in how biometric identifiers are stored and managed across sectors, linking financial services with wider state-managed biometric infrastructure.
The Central Bank’s top executive highlighted that every transferred biometric record carries a defined validity window of two years. After this period, the data are scheduled for automatic deletion from the system. At the moment, discussions are underway about the possibility for users to remotely extend the validity period of their data within the system without needing to attend physical locations for revalidation or confirmation.
Povolotsky emphasized that, in line with the applicable law, transferring data into the unified biometric system cannot proceed without informing the citizen and remains subject to consent. Banks were required to notify users about the transfer at least 30 days in advance. A portion of citizens opted out of the process. Nevertheless, the official noted that such rejections constitute only a very small share of the total pool of data transfers, roughly around one percent.
In related developments, discussions have grown around the regulatory framework governing biometric data retention, including privacy safeguards and the rights of individuals to withdraw consent or challenge data processing. These conversations reflect ongoing efforts to balance the benefits of biometric technologies for security, efficiency, and service delivery with the need to protect personal information and civil liberties. The current environment also raises questions about the governance models that will oversee ongoing data stewardship, the transparency of transfer practices, and the mechanisms by which citizens can verify how their data are used and stored.
Earlier public communications also referenced the Duma’s move to increase penalties for storing Russians’ biometric data without proper consent, signaling a tightening of accountability measures around data handling. The broader context includes frequent discussions about the resilience of digital authentication systems, the robustness of password protection, and the real-world implications for everyday users who rely on digital services for banking and government interactions. These factors collectively shape a landscape where biometric data governance is becoming an integral part of national cybersecurity and privacy policy. The evolving policies may influence how banks and other institutions design consent flows, user notifications, and options for data management going forward, ensuring that individuals retain control while enabling the state to maintain secure, efficient services for citizens and businesses alike.