Russia Plans to Introduce Digital Passports to Simplify Identity Verification
In Russia, the Ministry of Construction is promoting the initiative to introduce digital passports through the application “State Services.” The ministry has developed draft rules for using digital documents as a substitute for paper versions in the application. The main goal is to streamline the process of using identity documents.
The digital passport includes a QR code, a photograph, and in some cases, a disposable numerical password is also required for presentation. It can be used in various situations such as purchasing alcohol and tobacco, boarding a long-distance train, verifying a person when accessing state or municipal services, and other similar scenarios.
The implementation of this initiative will occur in three stages:
- Starting from the moment the decision comes into force, citizens will be able to use digital passports to buy alcohol or tobacco (with password), prove their age when visiting museums or events (with password), and board long-distance trains, among other cases.
- From January 1, 2024, digital passports will be required for accessing organizations (except for defense-industrial and nuclear facilities), verifying identity when sending and receiving postal items, as well as financial transactions (with password).
- From January 1, 2025, digital passports will be mandatory for verifying identity during hotel check-ins (with password) and at medical organizations (with password).
It is important to note that the digital passport will not completely replace the paper document, and there are no plans to stop issuing paper passports. The project will undergo public discussion until November 2. The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, which developed the rules, has also confirmed this information.