Russia Expands Surveillance and Mandatory Monitoring on Occupied Territories through Video Recording and SIM Card Controls
Starting from September, the occupying authorities in Russia are implementing new measures aimed at tightening control over residents living in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
According to the new rules, all retail outlets selling mobile SIM cards will be required not only to install surveillance cameras but also to store all recorded data for at least 30 days.
This means every purchase or replacement of a SIM card will be accompanied by mandatory video recording, significantly increasing monitoring of citizens’ movements and activities.Additionally, Ukrainians registered in the ‘Gosuslugi’ government services will be under continuous surveillance.
Disappearance or ownership change of a registered number will be automatically recorded, and connections with previous owners will be ‘dissociated.’ The National Resistance Center warns these measures form part of a broader strategy by the occupying administration to strengthen control over personal lives and communications.Recently, reports indicated that from September 1, residents of occupied territories are obliged to obtain Russian passports under threat of eviction.
This is yet another way to deepen control over ordinary Ukrainians and prevent resistance activities.
Moreover, it has been announced that from September, the mandatory installation of the MAX app on all devices sold in Russia will commence.
The app is integrated with other government online services and serves as a tool for surveillance, drawing criticism from human rights advocates and international communities who see it as a violation of individual rights and personal freedoms.