The Minister of Justice assured that the new IMEI code registry is intended to combat smartphone smuggling, not to control citizens.

Armenian Minister of Justice S. Galyan commented on concerns related to plans to create a unified state registry of mobile phone IMEI codes. According to her, the introduction of the new system does not imply control over citizens and aims solely at combating the illegal import of mobile devices.

The bill on amendments to the Law "On Electronic Communications", previously approved by the government, provides for the creation of a system for registering and verifying IMEI codes. The next stage is for the document to be submitted to the parliament for consideration.

Galyan emphasized that the new system is aimed at preventing the import of smuggled smartphones and legalizing the mobile device market. She also noted that such initiatives require an increased level of personal data protection.

According to the minister, the authorities are already working on new legislation on personal data protection, which should provide the necessary guarantees of confidentiality and allay public concerns about the possible use of the IMEI system for user control.

According to the bill, after its entry into force, mobile operators will be obliged to check the IMEI codes of devices when providing communication services.