Under new anti-spam law, Russian mobile carriers also blocking bank alerts and verification codes

In Russia, mobile operators are blocking not only advertising messages for users who opt out of spam, but also all service text messages — including bank notifications and two-factor authentication codes, Kommersant reported, citing a source at a telecom company. The only exceptions are mandatory messages from government agencies.

A law allowing users to opt out of mass text-message mailings took effect in Russia on August 1, 2025. Spam restrictions can be activated through a mobile operator’s online account or mobile app.

“The changes require restricting mass mailings without specifying their nature, so operators are forced to block all A2P [automated application-to-person] messages, and any other implementation of the rule would be considered a violation,” the source told Kommersant.

The Digital Development Ministry said it is “in contact with mobile operators” and is monitoring how they are implementing the new function.

The State Duma passed the law “on protection against cyber fraud” in March. The legislation requires caller ID for all calls, bans mass robocalls for advertising purposes, and allows subscribers to opt out of text-message mailings.