What are the consequences for Kazakhstanis connecting to someone else's Wi-Fi?

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Tengrinews.kz - Some Kazakhstanis use someone else's Wi-Fi without considering the consequences. However, this can lead to administrative and even criminal liability. What punishment is imposed for "stealing" the internet, how Kazakhstanis can detect unauthorized users, and how to "protect" their network.

Tengrinews.kz - Some Kazakhstanis use someone else's Wi-Fi without considering the consequences. However, this can lead to administrative and even criminal liability. What punishment is imposed for "stealing" the internet, how Kazakhstanis can detect unauthorized users, and how to "protect" their network.

According to Farid Aliyev, chairman of the board of the Association of Legal Consulting Chambers, unauthorized connection to someone else's Wi-Fi network without the owner's consent can be classified as unlawful access to an information system, which may result in administrative or even criminal liability depending on the circumstances.

Possible legal consequences

Administrative liability

According to the lawyer, the Administrative Offences Code (AOC) does not have a specific provision regulating illegal Wi-Fi connection. However, depending on the circumstances, it can be considered a violation of Article 641 of the AOC – "Violation of informatization legislation."

This article provides for liability for attempting or committing unauthorized access to information resources, including Wi-Fi networks. The penalty under this article includes a fine ranging from 15 to 200 MCI (from 58,980 to 786,400 tenge in 2025) or other administrative measures.

Criminal liability

If connecting to Wi-Fi causes damage, such as data theft or system hacking, criminal liability may apply under Article 205 of the Criminal Code – "Unauthorized Access to Information, an Information System, or a Telecommunications Network."

The penalties under this article include:

A fine of 160 to 200 MRP (from 629,120 to 786,400 tenge in 2025) or corrective labor in the same amount.
Community service from 160 to 600 hours.
Arrest for up to 40 days, with or without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities for up to 2 years.
Arrest for up to 50 days, with or without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities for up to 2 years.
Restriction of freedom for up to 2 years or imprisonment for the same period, with or without deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities for up to 3 years.

"If unauthorized access results in modification, blocking, or copying of data, penalties can include fines, corrective labor, or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the consequences," Aliyev warned.

How Wi-Fi owners can detect unauthorized connections

According to the lawyer, network owners can independently identify unauthorized users using the following methods:

Checking the list of connected devices in the router settings.
Enabling notifications for new connections.
Contacting the provider for network monitoring.

How to prevent unauthorized connections

If you use Wi-Fi, avoid connecting to unknown networks without permission and rely on legal internet access methods.

For network owners, it is recommended to:

Set a strong password;
Enable MAC address filtering;
Regularly check the network for unauthorized devices.

Law Wi-Fi responsibility lawyer Internet