In early December, Telegram announced a global update that introduces a new way to join the platform without a SIM card. The change relies on blockchain based anonymous numbers, which can be purchased on the Fragment marketplace. A random number is priced around 9 TON, roughly equivalent to one thousand rubles, while fans of premium, easily identifiable numbers can bid in auctions for gold and recognizable handles.
The developers frame this as part of a new era of privacy. They argue that users will enjoy greater security as they register and communicate without tying accounts to traditional mobile identifiers.
In a conversation with socialbites.ca, Denis Kuskov, head of Telecom Daily, suggested that anonymous numbers for Telegram registration may attract owners of so called secret channels. The new feature draws attention from groups that prefer to avoid public promotion, though some worry this could challenge existing laws and regulatory norms.
There is speculation that Roskomnadzor might respond with increased scrutiny or possible restrictions on anonymous numbers within Russia, given the long-standing focus on linking accounts to phone numbers to curb illegal activities. The idea that user identification could become optional in messaging apps is controversial and raises questions about enforcement and tracking.
Anton Labaznov, chief executive of Labaznov and Partners, recalled that in October 2018 the Russian government approved regulations requiring operators to verify that a phone number matches a real person. In practice, verification often involves sending an SMS code or a similar challenge, followed by a request to the mobile operator to confirm the number’s availability in the database. The goal is to prevent fraud, extremism, terrorism, and related crimes while preserving user privacy. Passport data are not transferred in this process, but this form of identity helps deter criminal activity on social networks.
Experts caution that a wave of new accounts could emerge for fraudulent or illegal commercial activities. The lack of geolocation tracking also complicates monitoring on such platforms, potentially making misuse harder to trace. While there is no direct legislative ban on virtual numbers in Russia yet, administrators may face consequences for using anonymizers and VPNs to access information resources. Any future restrictions would likely depend on specific crime trends or security threats that demand action, according to Labaznov. Yet the scope of this innovation in Russian realities remains uncertain at present.
A new era in fraud?
Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma Information Policy Committee, told socialbites.ca that the innovation is unlikely to win over cyber criminals. He explained that the Fragment auction offers internal virtual numbers that can only link to a Telegram account. They cannot receive SMS, cannot connect to external services, and are expensive enough to deter widespread misuse. This makes Telegram anonymous numbers less attractive to scammers.
Igor Bederov of T.Hunter shared a similar stance. He questioned the purpose of Fragment, suggesting it may be a project designed to create new revenue streams for the founder and to facilitate alias trading. He noted that a virtual number costs 9 TON, a price that remains high even if some users shop for cheaper alternatives online. A virtual SIM abroad might be cheaper and used with cryptocurrency, offering a potential safety edge for end users. The key point is that cybercriminals may resist adopting this system because of cost and distrust toward the platform’s owner.
Nevertheless, experts warn that the Fragment platform could invite a surge of fake offers and scams that exploit the novelty of anonymous numbers and nicknames. Intruders may create services and sites around these numbers, sometimes offering discounts or other incentives, which could lead to fraudulent schemes.