Kazakhstan may introduce fines for sharing SIM cards with third parties

Tengrinews.kz – Kazakhstan may soon impose administrative liability for transferring SIM cards to third parties, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev announced.

During a recent government meeting, Madiyev stated that penalties would be introduced for the unlawful transfer of SIM cards. When asked by journalists in the Mazhilis today about the nature of the proposed punishment, he clarified that the issue is still under discussion.

"What kind of penalty will apply for giving a SIM card to someone else? Can I, as a parent, give it to my child?" one reporter asked.

Madiyev responded that while the proposal is not finalized, the ministry is actively collecting feedback.

"This is still under discussion and not yet decided. A third party refers to someone not directly connected to you. We’ll consider how to regulate situations like giving a SIM card to a child. Of course, we are not planning any criminal liability at this stage - perhaps only an administrative fine. But it’s too early to give specific figures," he noted.

He added that the ministry may submit formal proposals to Parliament later this year.