Russia to Introduce Self-Restriction on International Calls via State Services Portal and Multifunctional Centers

12:53; 08 November 2026 year

### Russians to Be Able to Block International Calls Voluntarily from March 2027 Starting March 1, 2027, Russian citizens will have the option to voluntarily restrict incoming calls from international numbers, according to Anton Nemkin, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence, as reported by [RIA Novosti](https://ria.ru/20261108/svyaz-2130050879.html?ysclid=mw7n6vl7z866143664). This new measure aims to reduce the risks of telephone fraud. Users will be able to activate this feature through the "Gosuslugi" portal (a Russian government e-services platform) or at multi-service centers. Nemkin emphasized that the restriction will be entirely voluntary and will not affect international phone connectivity entirely. Users will have the final say on whether they want to receive such calls. The deputy believes that the process of activating and deactivating the self-imposed ban should be as simple as possible, making it accessible even to those with low digital literacy. This could be particularly beneficial for elderly citizens, who are often targeted by phone scams. Nemkin noted that fraudsters frequently impersonate bank employees, police officers, or government officials, using psychological pressure to prompt quick decisions from their victims. Blocking international calls, he believes, will help reduce such incidents. However, Nemkin cautioned that self-imposed bans will not provide complete protection against fraud. Criminals may use Russian numbers or other means of communication, so this feature should be seen as an additional security measure. He also stressed the importance of clearly explaining the rules of the mechanism to citizens. Users need to understand which calls will be blocked and whether the restriction could prevent important calls from coming through.

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