The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia proposes, in some cases, to allow the use of electronic documents from the Gosuslugi portal on an equal basis with paper documents. This may apply to passports and other identity documents.
“It is assumed that such a mechanism could be used in simple life situations. For example, when shopping in a store, boarding a train, for public service at an MFC, ”- declaration In the press service of the Ministry of Digital Development.
The explanatory note states that the electronic document can be useful for Russians when purchasing alcohol or cigarettes. However, the draft presidential decree emphasizes that the procedure for the use of digital information will be determined by the government within 90 days from the date of entry into force of the law. The Council of Ministers will also determine the terms of use of the State Services application and the methods for processing and verifying electronic documents. At the same time, the use of the “Gosuslug” application for the presentation of information will be optional.
“Digital versions do not replace paper documents, it will still be possible to present the originals if desired,” the ministry said.
The Cabinet will also coordinate with the Ministry of Interior and the FSB on how to use the “Gosuslugi” mobile application instead of real documents.
The authors of the decree believe that this will improve the identification process and “will not lead to socio-economic, financial and other consequences for commercial organizations and other economic activities, and will not adversely affect the achievement of the goals of state programs of the Russian Federation.”
The draft decree “On the submission of documents using information technology” was developed in accordance with the instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin dated February 15. document published on the portal of projects of normative legal acts.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation first published Putin’s draft resolution on digital passports on March 19, 2021, a little over two years ago. It was assumed that from December 1 of the same year, Muscovites will be the first to issue and receive the relevant documents. Across Russia, this app is scheduled to be introduced no later than July 1, 2023.
legislators wanted place in the passport a chip with information about the owner, including a photo and fingerprints. A Russian can install a mobile application that will replace his passport.
However, until June 2022, the project was frozen indefinitely due to Western sanctions against Russia and a special operation in Ukraine, Wrote Forbes citing sources. The interlocutor of the publication, who participated in the development of the project, announced that the creation of an electronic passport was abandoned for “material reasons”.
“This would have a huge repercussion in society: if Moscow residents could afford such expenses, then they would not have paid so much in the regions, given that the practical benefits of such a passport are not clear,” the source said.
Although the project is technically ready, the government has not approved its launch. It is also assumed that this was due to a shortage of chips, which “not even enough for debit cards”.
At the same time, a Forbes source close to one of the microelectronics manufacturers noted that the chips required for smart cards can be created in large volumes, but it is not known which chips are required for the electronic passport, as there is no technical documentation. .
In mid-February this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the head of the Ministry of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev returned to the decree. The minister explained how the technology works: “You upload a photo from the biometric passport to your smartphone, then a QR code is generated that you present to you. And the person who wants to check your foundation check your age or surname, first name, surname from “Gosuslug” mobile application.
It is assumed that in most cases this will allow Russians to use a smartphone instead of the original passport, and that the technology itself is safe and has already been agreed with the FSB, according to the ministry.
Then, Putin ordered the drafting of a decree determining when and how a digital version of an identity card can be used instead of a paper before May 1.
“Of course, such services are in great demand and their implementation needs to be accelerated” stressed President of Russia.