Last year, only 4 thousand illegal SIM cards were seized
In Russia, the turnover of «gray» SIM cards — those that were purchased without official registration, that is, without presenting identification documents. According to Roskomnadzor, in 2023, Russian authorities seized only about 4 thousand such SIM cards, while in 2022 there were much more: about 74 thousand. Of the 4 thousand of these SIM cards, more than 1,200 belong to Megafon, more than 1,000 Tele2, more than 800 — MTS, the same amount — «Beeline», and the remaining approximately 90 pieces — other telecom operators.
According to Roskomnadzor, the largest number of «gray» SIM cards were seized in St. Petersburg (763 pieces), Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (715) and Krasnoyarsk Territory (642). Violators were fined a total of 1.29 million rubles. The department also noted that in the first months of 2024, 126 measures have already been taken to suppress the illegal distribution of SIM cards, 232 pieces were seized and five protocols on administrative offenses were drawn up.
Mobile operators report that they necessarily check the accuracy of subscribers’ personal data when concluding contracts, and if violations are detected, together with Roskomnadzor, they apply civil liability measures such as fines and termination of contractual relations. It is thanks to such work that the turnover of «gray» SIM cards. This is also due to stricter legislation: operators are required to verify users of already purchased SIM cards.