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Tengrinews.kz – Kazakhstanis are complaining that they cannot verify their smartphones purchased abroad through a private company, despite having all the necessary documents. Users report that the website’s functions do not work, there is no feedback, and applications are rejected without explanation. Tengrinews.kz correspondents contacted the company’s representative to clarify the details.
Background
Since March 25 of this year, all mobile devices brought into Kazakhstan after this date must undergo IMEI verification. Devices imported earlier are automatically considered verified. For the first two months, the procedure was free for businesses, but since May 25 a fee of 1 MCI (3,932 tenge in 2025) has been required for each phone.
The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence previously stated that “the state fully controls data protection, consumer rights, and security issues.” However, the verification process itself was transferred to a private company, ATS Mediafon KZ LLP.
In mid-August, owners of “gray” phones began receiving warnings about possible blocking. They were then given 30 days to complete verification.
On October 10, we reported that Kazakhstan had begun blocking phones that had not passed official verification.
Meanwhile, on June 11, Mazhilis deputy Bolatbek Nazhmetdinuly raised the issue of phone verification in his formal request to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.
“According to information from market participants, Kazakhstan has 12 million devices in the gray zone, and the established verification fee of 3,932 tenge per device raises legitimate concerns, considering that the service is provided by a private company without government status, without a tender, and without an official mandate,” the document stated.
In his request, the deputy also asked for clarification on what basis the LLP carries out mandatory IMEI verification, whether a tender was held, who made the decision, who set the price of 3,932 tenge, and whether there is justification for it.
In his response, Bektenov said that following a selection process in accordance with the requirements of the State Registration Service, ATS Mediafon KZ LLP was designated the verification service provider, and on April 4, 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed with the company.
He emphasized that the admission of alternative service providers remains open on a permanent basis: companies may offer the service if they meet the SRS qualification requirements and receive a positive conclusion from the commission.
Reference: The qualification requirements include the availability of infrastructure, a building that meets unified ICT standards, software, technical capability to access the GSMA database, a customer support service, and the legal capacity of the business entity.
He also stated at the time that, according to the Ministry of AI, the verification fee (3,932 tenge) is determined by the company based on actual and projected costs. These include GSMA database access, integration with government systems, maintenance of a secure data center, and technical support for the website kz-imei.kz.
“As for transferring the verification function to an authorized government body, we note that this would require amendments to legislation and additional budget allocations,” Bektenov said.
Stories of Kazakhstani citizens
Meanwhile, Kazakhstanis attempting to complete phone verification themselves are encountering difficulties. One user, Ainur, said she could not legalize her mobile phone bought in the United States through an acquaintance, despite several attempts.
“I submitted an application through eGov and the LLP’s website, attaching all required documents and codes, but it was rejected. Later, I tried to apply through my husband — again rejected,” she said.
Ainur added that she contacted the company’s support service, but was told the decision was made by a state authority.
“They explained that they have nothing to do with the outcome, and that the decision is made by a government body. All my applications received the same response: ‘The application is being reviewed by the government body’,” she noted.
When the verification deadline was approaching, Ainur, in desperation, turned to so-called “helpers,” paying them 50,000 tenge — but this did not help. Since October 16, she still has been unable to verify her device.
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Lawyer Oleg Chernov also expressed dissatisfaction with handing the verification procedure over to a private company and questioned the legality of such a decision. He explained that he had purchased a phone from an official manufacturer abroad.
“I arranged delivery by mail. I hired a customs broker and paid for his services, paid the customs duty to the state, and provided customs officers with all documents confirming the purchase from the seller. Eventually, I received my phone,” he said.
He then needed to verify his mobile device.
“I was forced to provide them with my personal data — otherwise the procedure could not be completed. I indicated the method by which the phone entered the country.
It is impossible to attach any documents: the service’s functionality does not allow it. Everything looks like a cheap and limited service. They only ask for the parcel’s tracking number — I provided it. I entered the serial number and the device’s IMEI code. Pressed the cherished button and waited. They promised to review the application within 72 hours. I checked the website — it showed a rejection, supposedly because there was no confirming information about the purchase of the phone,” he wrote in his post.
He also stressed that he now has grounds to verify whether the refusal was lawful and whether the company itself complies with legal requirements.
What the private company says
In a conversation with the correspondent, a representative of the LLP stated that the company is a purely technical service operating strictly within the framework of national legislation. According to her, they only verify officially imported smartphones — either those brought in by sellers with all taxes and duties paid, or those imported by citizens for personal use with supporting documents.
Regarding user complaints about verification refusals, the company noted that most rejections are justified and result from errors in submitting documents or attempts to upload falsified documents.
“Often users attach border-crossing certificates that do not match their actual entry date, or documents that do not confirm legal importation. The system issues reasoned rejections. For example, an applicant attaches a certificate from the wrong period, or a document that does not match the entry date. These mistakes are common, and we try to explain them to users when they contact support,” the company clarified.
According to the LLP, the system successfully detects applications with fake documents.
“Such applications are rejected, and information about the applicants is forwarded to the authorized bodies,” the representative added.
In response to complaints that documents cannot be attached on the website, the company explained that this option does exist: the platform includes a section for uploading supporting files, such as border-crossing certificates, which users may attach when submitting an application.
The LLP representative also noted that the system is currently experiencing increased seasonal load due to new phone releases, sales periods, and special promotions. Despite this, they say, “the system is functioning, although waiting times may increase.”
It is also emphasized that the verification process is necessary to restore order and bring smartphone trade out of the shadows.
