Smartphone blocking: Kazakh citizens given new details on verification deadlines

Tengrinews.kz - The deadline for free smartphone verification for individuals in Kazakhstan has been extended until June 25, the head of the Telecommunications Committee at the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, Damir Seissembekov, announced at a briefing.
According to Seissembekov, all smartphones brought into the country and connected to mobile networks before March 25 are automatically considered verified.

"All smartphones that were imported before March 25 and are already in use on local mobile networks are deemed verified. Their IMEI numbers have been added to the whitelist automatically," he explained during a Central Communications Service briefing.

Due to a high number of inquiries from businesses and the public, the deadline for legalizing smartphones for entrepreneurs was previously extended to May 25.

"This extension was granted to businesses that imported phones before March 25 but had not yet sold or registered them on the network. These devices may have remained in storage or on display. We provided a mechanism to add them to the system to avoid risks for future buyers," Seissembekov said.

Starting May 25, free verification for importers will end, and they will need to present proof of legal import for each device. However, the ministry has decided to extend the free verification period for individuals by one more month.

"To avoid public dissatisfaction and social tension, the free verification period for individuals has been extended until June 25. If you bought a smartphone in February or April but haven’t activated it yet, or if you brought one from abroad, you can verify it for free until that date. Each person is allowed to verify up to two devices, and the process is done via the eGov Mobile portal," Seissembekov noted.

He emphasized that the verification system is in place to protect consumers from illegally imported, refurbished, or stolen smartphones.
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