Government seeks full control over citizens` phones in Armenia

ArmInfo. Information security expert Artur Papyan reports that the Armenian authorities have initiated a bill that would allow them to take complete control over citizens' phones.

"The government has approved a project to create a unified IMEI code  database. At first glance, it sounds technical and innocuous:  'fighting the dark side,' 'preventing phone theft.' But let's look at  what's actually planned.

First, a huge database will be created that will combine your  passport and personal data, your telephone code (IMEI), and all your  SIM/eSIM cards. This isn't just a tax tool: it will allow the state  to see at any time who is active online, from what device, and when,"  he noted. Secondly, he said, if this database, which contains data on  2.5 million users every minute, is compromised, operators will be  forced to disconnect your connection.

"And we know how government databases work-for example, the  first-grader registration database, which was supposed to serve only  about 20,000 parents at a time this week, but simply stopped working.

Thirdly, the project contains a dangerous element: the administrator  can provide 'other digital services' to state and local government  agencies or even private companies using the data from this database.  In other words, data supposedly collected to 'fight smuggling' could  be used tomorrow for completely different, unknown purposes.

Fourthly, centralizing phone and citizen data from the entire  republic in one place is any cybercriminal's dream. If this database  is hacked (and no system is invulnerable), the security of each and  every one of us will be at risk," Papyan noted. He also noted that  the project's authors claim it will help combat theft, but they need  to be honest about this too.

"How many of you or your friends have encountered a similar  situation: your phone was stolen, you went to the police with the box  and IMEI number, but never received any help? Meanwhile, I  wholeheartedly testify that if we're talking about protesters or  critical journalists, they'll know their location by IMEI within five  minutes and show force," Papyan concluded.