Compulsory Labeling of Business Calls in Russia Enforced

In a significant move aimed at combating cybercrime, Russia will implement mandatory labeling of business-number calls starting September 1. This initiative, part of a broader package to combat cybercrime, will see an end to the era of unknown numbers, as people will now be able to identify the company name and the purpose of the call.

The telecommunications operators, estimated to incur additional costs exceeding 11 billion rubles over the following six years, have not been explicitly named in the available search results. However, key players such as the Ministry of Digital Development and the state enterprise Ugletelecom in the Donetsk People's Republic are involved in expanding and restoring telecommunications infrastructure under government direction.

The labeling includes the company name and call category, such as "advertisement" or "bank". The data provided is based on a contract between the business and the telecommunications operator, with a limit of 32 characters for the displayed information.

Businesses, however, have expressed concerns about this initiative. Vladimir Trunov, director of government relations at "Trolcolor", estimates that business costs could double or more due to this initiative. Critics fear it could create an "unjustified revenue opportunity" for operators and impose additional costs on companies.

The National Financial Markets Council (NFMC) has also voiced concerns, warning that paid call labeling could lead to increased prices for financial services and communication. According to NFMC head Andrei Emelin, the costs of implementing the service will be passed on to businesses. The NFMC further warns that this measure could potentially impact the affordability of financial services and communication for consumers.

Despite these concerns, the initiative is aimed at fighting fraudsters who disguise themselves as legitimate businesses. By providing transparency in calls, the Russian government hopes to create a safer and more secure telecommunications environment for its citizens.