Mass blocking of smartphones: When will the new rules come into effect
According to the order of the Ministry, from March 24 of this year, white, gray, and black lists for registering subscriber devices of cellular communications will be introduced in Kazakhstan.
How to find out that your phone is on the black list
As explained by the representative of “Radio Frequency Service” Saule Temirkhan, users will be able to check the status of their device in advance through a special service.
"If you purchased a phone in Kazakhstan and it was blacklisted, then, unfortunately, the device will be blocked. Starting March 24, a preliminary mobile device verification service will be available to all citizens. Before purchasing a device, you will need to enter the IMEI code of this device and check the verification status. If this device has not been verified by the person who imported it, the importer, then this device will be blocked. You will not be able to do anything about it, so you will need to check," she explained.
Saule Temirkhan recommended that Kazakhstanis carefully check devices before purchasing them to avoid possible problems with registration.
What will be the consequences for owners of devices included in the gray or black list
As Saule Temirkhan explained, all devices will undergo verification and be entered into the database of identification codes, the operator of which is the "Radio Frequency Service."
White list: If the device successfully passes verification, it is entered into the white list. Owners of such devices can freely use cellular services.
Gray list: The gray list includes mobile phones, information about which is not in the system. In this case, owners are given 30 calendar days for verification. If the device is registered during this period, it will be transferred to the white list.
Black list: This list includes devices that:
Were not registered by manufacturers in the GSMA database;
Are listed in the GSMA database as stolen or blocked;
Are counterfeit.
Do not correspond to the model and brand declared by the manufacturer.
Restrictions
Devices from the black list will not be able to receive cellular services in Kazakhstan;
Devices from the gray list have temporary access to the network for 30 days.
"If the device was blacklisted due to untimely verification (for example, it was brought from abroad), the owner will still be able to enter the necessary data and verify it. After successful confirmation, the device will be transferred to the white list, and access to cellular communications will be restored," Temirkhan explained.
Earlier, Mazhilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyaeva proposed introducing a limit on the import of smartphones into the country: no more than two devices per year for personal use.