ArmInfo. Armenia plans to implement an IMEI code control system for cell phones. The RA government approved draft amendments to the Law "On Electronic Communications" at its June 25 meeting.
Presenting the amendments, RA Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted that the lack of control over the IMEI code system in Armenia facilitates the distribution of cell phones with undeclared, counterfeit, or modified IMEI codes, leading to tax losses, distorting market competition, and increasing technical security risks. The lack of IMEI code control mechanisms prevents the protection of personal data, especially for individuals temporarily residing in Armenia. Currently, there are no legal regulations governing the registration and circulation of mobile phones. Specifically, there are no regulations for issuing permits for the import and sale of mobile phones or registering imported mobile phones. These issues pose urgent priorities in the area of information security and electronic communications regulation.
Based on international experience, particularly the regulations of EAEU member countries, it is planned to implement an effective system to ensure the complete registration and compliance of imported mobile phones in accordance with international best practices. The implementation of a unified IMEI system will enable the comparison of customs data, operator activation data, and international registries, ensuring that only legally imported mobile phones are activated. This will also reduce the illegal circulation of phones, strengthen government oversight, and improve public safety. In today's rapidly evolving digital world, the implementation of such a system will ensure the country's economic well-being, the prevention, detection, and resolution of crimes, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
The bill proposes to legally establish the ability for individuals to register the IMEI code of their new mobile phone online, a unified state system for IMEI registration and control, a mandatory requirement for IMEI compliance when providing mobile communications services, and ensuring proper compatibility of IMEI databases between government agencies, customs services, and telecom operators. The proposed legal regulation includes mandatory IMEI registration from the moment of legal import, while simultaneously introducing restrictions on copying, modifying codes, and activating devices that have not cleared customs. Adoption of the bill will contribute to reducing the shadow economy, regulating the mobile device market, and protecting consumers, specifically by preventing phone theft and fraud, reducing security risks in the republic, improving cybersecurity, and implementing interoperable databases that ensure complete device traceability.
