“Foreign messengers do not comply with the law”: lawmakers call for tighter regulation

Tengrinews.kz – Foreign messaging platforms operating in Kazakhstan pose risks to personal data security, distort fair competition and fail to comply with national legislation, Mazhilis deputy Yekaterina Smyshlyayeva said. In a parliamentary inquiry addressed to the Prime Minister, she urged authorities to bring order to the sector.

According to Smyshlyayeva, despite the existence of cybersecurity laws in Kazakhstan, many foreign digital platforms and messengers continue to ignore local regulations.

“This creates risks of losing control over citizens’ personal data, limits users’ ability to seek legal protection, increases dependence of public and socially significant processes on foreign digital jurisdictions, and forms unequal competitive conditions for law-abiding digital solutions,” she said.

Smyshlyayeva noted that Kazakhstan already has domestic messaging services and cited Aitu as an example, saying it is capable of performing public functions while complying with national legislation.

“These include, for example, the locally hosted messenger Aitu, e-government ecosystem services, document management and accounting systems, as well as other products included in the register of trusted digital objects,” she said.

However, she added that there is still no real government demand for these services.

“Preferences in public procurement continue to be given to unverified products, the register is ignored, and in some cases technical specifications are written for specific foreign vendors. With this approach, the use of untrusted services in public and government functions remains high,” Smyshlyayeva said.

“Choice must remain”

At the same time, the deputy stressed that banning foreign platforms outright would be inappropriate and that users should retain freedom of choice.

“Where it concerns a user’s private choice, that choice must remain. But in public and government processes, digital solutions must be used that comply with national legislation and take into account the safety of citizens and national security as a whole,” she said.

What lawmakers proposed

Smyshlyayeva proposed prioritizing platforms included in the register of trusted digital solutions for government bodies and quasi-state entities. She also suggested:

• avoiding public procurement policies tailored to specific foreign products;
• encouraging the use of “law-abiding” digital platforms and messengers;
• considering the promotion of domestic services in app stores;
• applying cybersecurity and data protection laws equally to all platforms.

Earlier, it was reported that Kazakhstan has drafted a bill introducing a ban on registering users under the age of 16 on online platforms.