Roskomnadzor endorsed the bill designed to raise penalties for unlawful handling of biometric data, as reported by RIA News.
Earlier, on June 1, the State Duma approved in the first reading a bill that would punish breaches related to the use of biometric information. The proposed law would hike fines: individuals could face 6,000 to 10,000 rubles, officials from 100,000 to 300,000 rubles (up from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles), and legal entities from 300,000 to 700,000 rubles (up from 30,000 to 150,000 rubles). In cases of repeated violations, the maximum penalties would rise to 500,000 rubles for individuals, 1 million rubles for officials, and 1.5 million rubles for organizations. [Roskomnadzor statement; committee notes] This shift aims to tighten compliance and deter improper collection and use of biometric data across sectors, with particular emphasis on safeguarding distinctive data like fingerprints and iris scans which are inherently tied to a person’s identity and do not change over a lifetime. [Roskomnadzor briefing]
However, according to reports from News, the authors of the bill intend stronger measures in the second reading, especially for processing personal data without written consent. Under the new proposals, citizens could face a minimum fine of 15,000 rubles for certain violations. [News source attribution]
Roskomnadzor reiterated its support for the bill, highlighting biometric data as a special category of personal information that requires heightened protection. The agency stressed that biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and iris data are permanent and cannot be altered like a password or replaced like a bank card, underscoring the need for robust safeguards and clear consent mechanisms. [Roskomnadzor official remarks]
In 2024, plans were announced to pilot biometric payment methods for metro travel across six Russian cities, including St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Samara, and Novosibirsk. The disclosure came from Vladislav Povolotsky, General Director of the Center for Biometric Technologies (CBT) of JSC, during the Finopolis forum. The pilot envisions faster, contactless transactions for city transit, relying on biometric verification to streamline rider experience and reduce boarding times. [CBT briefing]
Russians have shown growing interest in paying for purchases with biometric verification, signaling a broader trend toward convenient, secure transactions that reduce the need for physical cards or cash. This shift, while offering speed and ease, also heightens attention to privacy protections and the governance of biometric data across both public and private sectors. The evolving policy landscape around biometrics suggests that individuals, businesses, and government bodies will increasingly navigate rules that balance innovation with strict privacy safeguards. [Policy analysis notes]