Changes in Gosuslugi account management amid security updates

The Ministry of Digital Development in Russia has announced a change affecting Gosuslugi users who need to visit a multifunction center (MFC) to manage their accounts. This development comes amid growing concerns about unauthorized access to personal profiles within the State Services ecosystem, where attackers increasingly employ social engineering to compromise credentials. The ministry’s official post indicates that, in response to these security challenges, certain account management features are being adjusted to reduce risk and protect user data. The net effect is a shift in how users can interact with their Gosuslugi accounts when they are physically present at an MFC, with practical steps designed to limit opportunities for misuse during service visits. The message emphasizes that suspending or modifying account actions during these visits is a deliberate, security-driven decision intended to curb the frequency of credential compromise and the impact of potential hacks. In this context, it is noted that deletions initiated by attackers could lead to the loss of legitimate access and the disruption of essential municipal and federal digital services, prompting a precautionary recalibration of the system’s behavior while onsite at the MFC. The ministry’s stance reflects a broader effort to balance accessibility and security for residents who rely on Gosuslugi for a wide range of administrative interactions, from public service requests to identity verification, when they are interacting with state information systems. In parallel, the ministry states that users may still perform account deletion during their physical visit to an MFC, preserving a channel for those who decide to terminate their Gosuslugi presence within a supervised environment. This nuance highlights the ongoing tension between simplifying digital end-user workflows and implementing safeguards that prevent malicious actors from exploiting the platform. Earlier coverage indicated that the option to delete a Gosuslugi account within the mobile app itself had been restricted, and that the web version of the portal also does not support the deregistration function at this time, illustrating a multi-channel approach to managing security across devices and interfaces. In the lead-up to these updates, reports by prominent information agencies noted the evolving policy landscape surrounding digital identity and personal data within state services. The conversation dovetails with broader governmental priorities regarding secure digital credentials, including considerations tied to state-issued digital passports that are used in conjunction with Gosuslugi. Notably, President Vladimir Putin has tasked the Council of Ministers, the Federal Security Service (FSB), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs with drafting a decree concerning the use of digital passports by a specified deadline, signaling a policy trajectory that seeks to formalize and govern identity verification within government digital ecosystems. This direction underscores the linkage between identity management, service delivery, and national security imperatives within the state’s administrative framework. The overall aim is to ensure that citizens can access essential services reliably while minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and fraud, a goal that requires ongoing coordination across ministries, security agencies, and the public-facing portals that millions of residents rely on for everyday administrative tasks. Observers note that these developments may influence user expectations and behaviors, encouraging more careful handling of credentials both online and during in-person visits. As digital services continue to expand, the balance between convenient access and robust protection remains a central topic of discussion among policymakers, technology providers, and the public. The evolving policy environment signals that Gosuslugi and related state service platforms will continue to adapt in response to security incidents, user feedback, and the wider national strategy for digital governance.