Foreigners can not enter into the Russian Wi-Fi – The News

Photo: Lime / Vladimir Suvorov

Government adopted amendments to the rules of communication services will enable the Russians did not show a passport, to use public Wi-Fi. Instead, you can use the identification number on a mobile phone or via the website of public services. But foreigners who want to take advantage of Wi-Fi in the Russian park, coffee shop or subway, such a simple way to make sure the person will not do, say lawyers.

accepted July 31 government decree added to the Russian “Service Rules of data transmission, “a new paragraph. Henceforth, in the provision of one-time data services in the community access points (such as public Wi-Fi networks), the operator shall ensure that the identification of users and equipment they use. “User authentication is carried out by establishing … surname, first name, middle name (if any) the user confirms the identity document».

This decision caused a lot of questions from operators and owners of the objects with public Wi-Fi. And on August 12 the rules were liberalized. Identity can now be “otherwise providing reliable establishment of the above information.” For example, by establishing a reliable cell phone numbers. As is known, Russia SIM-card is necessary to issue the passport, and according to the law “On Communications” law enforcement authorities may request the operator information about users. Another method specified in the amendment of August 12 – Authorization of public services through the website.

In the Ministry of Communications note: in the decree number 801 of August 12, does not say that the phone number must be from the Russian operator . But foreign cellular companies are not required to respond to requests from Russian law enforcement agencies. And in the Wi-Fi network required “to provide user authentication.” The Russian government services online also foreigners are not registered.

– Personal identification can not be made to a foreign phone number – recognizes Sergey Zuikov, CEO of the law firm “Zuikov and partners.” – Therefore, a foreigner to access the public Internet in Russia must present a passport or get a Russian phone number.

Subscriber foreign mobile operator, you can send an SMS with a code that must be entered to access the public Wi-Fi . But it does not help to identify the identity of the caller, the Ombudsman recognizes Russian Internet Dmitry Marinichev. For foreigners need other methods of identification.

– The operator chooses the method of identification, and it is possible that some of them will be able to offer users several options, – said the representative of the Ministry of Communications Catherine Osadchaya.

According Marinicheva, future problems with the identification of Internet users only worsen.

– After a year or two the number of devices that will be able to connect to the network will be an order of magnitude higher than the number of people. Identify any device unreal – he argues. – It is necessary to cancel the decision. In its current form, it will require a lot of explanations and other documents, but it still will not work.

Marinichev reported that it creates a working group to form a consolidated position of the industry. To participate in it will be invited to all relevant organizations, such as the Russian Association of Electronic Communications. When the proposals will be formed, they will be sent to the Russian President.