📱🇷🇺 Russia imposes mandatory registration of smartphones via their IMEI number.

President Vladimir Putin signed a law establishing a state registration system for mobile devices using their IMEI number, the unique identifier of each phone.
Eventually, all devices equipped with a SIM card slot will have to be registered in a national database.
The authorities will thus be able to block network access for unregistered devices, while each SIM card will be associated with a specific phone.
Upon resale, the previous owner must also dissociate their device so that the new user can register it in their name.
According to Russian authorities, this measure aims to combat phone theft, fraud, and the use of devices illegally introduced into the country. On the other hand, its critics believe it will strengthen state control over communications and user tracking. The implementation of the system will be gradual, with the creation of a national registry of IMEI numbers.