Russia Says 53% of Foreign SIMs Lack Biometrics as Fines Loom and MTS Proposes Tourist Plan

Overview

• Roskomnadzor reported about 7 million foreign subscribers hold more than 8.5 million SIM cards in Russia, with 53% not biometrically verified under 2025 rules.
• Deputy head Oleg Terlyakov said operators have largely kept unverified users connected because there are no additional administrative sanctions in place.
• Roskomnadzor said a legal package is being readied for the autumn session to introduce administrative liability for failing to enforce anti-anonymity requirements.
• The watchdog flagged SIM limit breaches, citing roughly 37,000 foreign subscribers and about 89,000 Russian citizens over the allowed thresholds, with a 20‑SIM cap for citizens taking effect November 1.
• MTS, at the Spektr‑2025 forum in Sochi, proposed a time‑limited tourist SIM using RU ID, simplified biometrics and border verification, with activation envisioned for 14 days and expanded access to MVD and ESIA data for checks; the company said foreign SIM issuance fell from 15 million in the first nine months of 2024 to under 3 million in the same period of 2025, with tourists under 1%.