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Russia is entering a controversial new phase in its approach to immigration control, with a bold law that could reshape the lives of foreigners in the country. All non-Russian nationals residing in the Moscow region will soon be required to install a mobile tracking application, turning their smartphones into tools for state monitoring. Framed as a crime-reduction initiative, this measure has raised serious questions about privacy, feasibility, and human rights.
Foreigners Under Surveillance: Whatās Happening in Moscow?
The Russian government has officially proposed a law requiring all foreign nationals living in the Moscow region to install a mandatory tracking app. This initiative was presented by Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the State Duma, who claims it is designed to reduce migrant-related crimes through the use of modern technology.
Once installed, the app will collect sensitive personal information such as the userās:
Place of residence
Fingerprints
Facial image
Real-time geolocation
If a migrant changes their residence, they must report the new address to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) within three working days. Failure to comply with these rules could lead to inclusion in a government surveillance registry and possible deportation.
Diplomats and Belarusian citizens are exempt, but everyone else is expected to comply. Critics argue the system is not only invasive but also unrealistic in terms of implementation. Lawyer Anna Minushkina pointed out the potential violation of Articles 23 and 24 of the Russian Constitution, which protect privacy rights. Meanwhile, Viktor Teplyankov, head of the Uzbek Community in Moscow, described the plan as poorly thought out and impractical.
Human rights organizations and digital freedom groups like Roskomsvoboda also raised alarms, stating that the move paves the way for mass surveillance and deters much-needed labor migrants from coming to Russia.
This surveillance initiative is set to be trialed until September 2029, with the possibility of it expanding nationwide if considered successful. However, unresolved questions remain: what happens in the event of smartphone theft or a technical failure? These concerns are expected to be addressed in further discussions between the Ministry and regional authorities.
What Undercode Say:
Russiaās proposed law mandating a tracking app for foreign nationals is a bold and highly controversial maneuver that reflects broader global trends in digital surveillance and immigration control. On the surface, the idea of using technology to reduce crime might sound appealing, especially for a government concerned with law and order. But scratch beneath that, and it reveals a far more complex and troubling narrative.
This law isn’t just about monitoring criminalsāit’s about total control over a specific segment of the population. The scope of data being collected (fingerprints, facial recognition, constant location tracking) borders on intrusive surveillance, effectively transforming every foreigner into a potential suspect.
From a legal perspective, the proposed system likely violates constitutional rights, not only under Russian law but also under various international agreements. 23 of the Russian Constitution explicitly guarantees the right to privacy. Gathering this level of biometric and location-based data without consent or clear legal oversight presents a direct challenge to those protections.
Practically speaking, the feasibility of such a system is another major red flag. Migrants often lack stable access to smartphones, regular internet, or digital literacy. Expecting 100% compliance under such circumstances seems optimistic, if not deliberately unrealistic. Then there’s the issue of enforcementāhow will the state monitor compliance without further deepening surveillance practices?
Sociopolitically, this law sends a clear message: migrants are not to be trusted. It frames them as potential criminals rather than essential contributors to the economy. Russia, like many nations, depends heavily on migrant labor. By alienating this workforce, it risks severe blowbackānot only from human rights organizations but also from sectors like construction, agriculture, and services that rely heavily on foreign workers.
On an international scale, this move could strain Russiaās diplomatic ties with countries whose citizens make up the bulk of its migrant population. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other Central Asian nations might view the law as discriminatory and take retaliatory steps.
There’s also the matter of precedent. If this measure worksāor is claimed toāwhat stops it from being applied to other groups within Russia, including political dissidents or even ordinary citizens?
Ultimately, the law isn’t just about migration control. It’s about expanding state power under the guise of security. If allowed to proceed unchallenged, it could mark the beginning of a new surveillance state model that other authoritarian regimes may try to replicate.
Fact Checker Results ā
The law proposal is real and has been officially announced by the Russian Duma
Legal experts confirm potential violations of Russian constitutional privacy protections
Trial period runs until September 2029, with national expansion on the table š±šļøš
Prediction š”
If implemented as planned, the tracking app could drastically alter how Russia manages immigration. Expect legal challenges from human rights groups, diplomatic friction with neighboring countries, and potential labor shortages. Unless the government offers clear limits, transparency, and oversight, this could evolve into one of the most aggressive digital surveillance programs in modern Europe.
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Reported By: www.bleepingcomputer.com
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