State Duma deputies have approved in the first reading a draft law aimed at extending the window for Russian digital platforms to align their authorization systems with contemporary standards. This development was reported by the lower house of parliament and comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen identity verification online. The measure signals a continuation of Russia’s broader push to regulate digital access and ensure that authentication mechanisms align with national security and data governance goals.
According to Anton Gorelkin, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Information Policy, Technologies and Communications and one of the co-authors of the amendments, President Vladimir Putin signed a law in the summer mandating network authentication through mobile numbers, the Gosuslugi portal, or the Unified Biometric System. The intent, as explained, is to ensure that a substantial portion of the authentication process remains under Russian oversight. The deputies underscored that the new rule elevates the need for domestic control over critical identity verification channels and reduces dependence on foreign platforms for sign-in procedures.
Gorelkin stressed that as of December 1, many digital platforms may still be preparing to adapt to the new requirements. The practical implementation timetable, as outlined by the deputy, implies that some systems might not be ready to meet the new standards immediately, which could affect user access and platform operations in the short term. The drafting team emphasized the importance of giving technology companies additional time to integrate the mandated verification methods without disrupting essential online services for Russian users.
During the discussion, Gorelkin cited several major domestic and international players as examples of those already working toward compliance. He pointed to Yandex and Ozon as cases where teams have committed to updating their authorization ecosystems so that they will meet the new legal obligations by the end of 2024. The statements were framed as demonstrations of responsibility and proactive planning, highlighting the collaboration between regulators and industry to ensure a smooth transition toward the enhanced authentication framework.
In the public sphere, Russians have already observed warnings about potential cyber threats at the onset of the New Year, with authorities advising vigilance against increasingly sophisticated criminal schemes. In late autumn, several media outlets noted that certain applications faced distribution challenges on smartphones due to regulatory shifts and the evolving stance on digital identity verification. Analysts suggest that the extended timeline could provide both users and platforms with a clearer window to adjust, test, and verify the new authentication pathways, while law enforcement and cyber defense agencies monitor for suspicious activity and strive to minimize vulnerabilities during the transition.