The Ministry of Digital Development has prepared a draft government decree, according to which, from October 1, an experiment on placing biometric data (voice and facial) by citizens using a mobile application will begin in Russia. The experiment will last for a year.

To directly allocate their biometric data, citizens will need to download Biometrics app and sign in using their verified account in the Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA). After consenting to the collection and processing of data, the system will independently verify the collected biometrics with other samples, in particular, from the biometric passport.

Having submitted biometric data, citizens will gain access to a number of digital services in government agencies, banks, and other organizations, the ministry said.

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ESIA, UBS

In April 2021, Russian government and Rostelecom, the operator of the Unified Biometric System (UBS), announced plans to restart the platform. Rostelecom will invest $87 million (6.6 billion rubles) in the project through 2030 in order to collect information of about 50 million of Russians.

Original (in Russian)