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Tengrinews.kz – Smartphones from “blacklists” — those that were not officially verified — have begun to be blocked in Kazakhstan. Details were provided by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
How many smartphones have been blocked
It’s important to note that a single smartphone can contain up to four IMEI codes. The authorities are blocking the IMEI codes, not the physical devices. According to the Ministry of AI, as of now, there are 886,003 unique IMEI codes listed in the “gray list”, which precedes the blacklist.
Reference: IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identification number assigned to every mobile device. It helps identify the device on networks, locate it in case of theft or loss, verify authenticity, and assist telecom operators and law enforcement in tracking and blocking stolen gadgets.
“It’s important to emphasize that the number of IMEI codes does not equal the number of devices, since one device may contain 2–4 IMEIs. The figure also includes IMEIs awaiting confirmation of secondary slots linked to already registered devices. Owners must submit a simplified verification request, after which such IMEIs are moved to the ‘white list,’” the ministry clarified in an official response to Tengrinews.kz.
Currently, 127,682 IMEI codes are listed in the “blacklist”, and all corresponding smartphones have been blocked. The official transition of devices from the gray list to the black list began on July 26, 2025.
“Before the final disconnection, each device undergoes an additional verification check to prevent errors and ensure accurate validation. After the transition period, the first wave of disconnections for unverified devices remaining in the gray list took place on August 18, 2025,” the ministry added.
Who handles paid smartphone verification in Kazakhstan?
In Kazakhstan, paid verification of “gray” smartphones is carried out by a private company, according to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
The ministry explained that qualification requirements were established for companies wishing to participate in the verification project. These companies must have integration with an international identification code verification system, specifically the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) database.
“More than six GSMA partner companies — including Kazakhstan’s mobile operators, importers, and smartphone manufacturers — were invited to participate,” the ministry said.
So far, two companies have confirmed their participation, but only one has fully met all technical and licensing requirements.
“The project format does not create a monopoly or a single verification operator. It functions on an open API principle, allowing any number of companies to join as long as they meet the qualification requirements set by the State Radio Frequency Service. Given the size of the smartphone market, the ministry expects more participants to join soon,” the statement said.
The ministry also noted that another company is currently finalizing its own verification solution.
When asked how much the private company earns from smartphone verification, officials did not disclose figures but outlined how the revenue is distributed:
- 40% – royalties and software support, including continuous access to international databases such as GSMA;
- 20% – equipment, secure data centers, and integration interfaces with state information systems;
- 30% – taxes and mandatory payments;
- 10% – profit reinvested into modernization and platform development.
Has Kazakhstan managed to reduce the “gray” import of smartphones?
According to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the goal of introducing mandatory smartphone verification was to “legalize” the market and curb gray imports.
“Current results confirm this effect through an increase in official sales, which contributes to higher tax revenues. According to data from official distributors and brand representatives, the ‘white’ import segment has shown relative growth of 20–40 percent compared to the same period last year,” the ministry stated.
Background: In August, Kazakh smartphone owners with unverified (“gray”) devices began receiving warnings about upcoming blocks. Users were given 30 days to complete verification.
Under the new rules, all phones imported into Kazakhstan after March 25, 2025, must be verified by IMEI code. Devices imported before that date are automatically considered verified.
For the first two months, verification for businesses was free, but starting May 25, a fee of 1 MRP (3,932 tenge in 2025) is charged per device.
