At least 21 autonomous republics and regions of the Russian Federation are setting up digital permit systems to enforce self-isolation rules: with a few exceptions, anyone who wants to leave their home in those regions needs or will need an official permission.
These regional governments are using one and the same application: “Gosuslugi Stop Coronavirus,” which is already in use in the Moscow region. The city of Moscow has its own, independent permit system, and several other major cities are following its lead, having developed their own so-called “digital collar” software to issue permits for going outside as well as “digital guardsman” software for police to check the permits.
“Digital Guardsman” is actually the official name of the program under use in Tatarstan, the first of Russia’s autonomous republics to require digital codes for those planning to venture outside their homes.
Independent-minded online publication Meduza investigated the permit systems in several regions, consulting with digital security experts to figure out whether the apps could expose Russian citizens to hacking threats or personal data leaks.
In Russia’s regions under lock down, digital permits could expose citizens to mass data leaksRead More
