Tengrinews.kz – Kazakhstan is set to change the way individuals sign contracts with mobile service providers, as part of a new law aimed at developing the financial market and protecting consumers of financial services. The legislation was approved by the Mazhilis today.
One of the key updates is the mandatory use of biometric identification when entering into agreements with telecom operators.
"As part of the work on this bill, deputies introduced additional provisions requiring mandatory biometric identification when concluding a service agreement with a subscriber," said MP Yerlan Stambekov.
The law also introduces other consumer protection measures:
- Individuals applying for a loan for the first time must be physically present at a bank or microfinance organization.
- People with disabilities will be allowed to appoint a trusted representative to access services at financial institutions.
- Lawmakers say the changes aim to protect citizens from fraud. The bill has passed its second reading and will now be sent to the Senate for review.
Biometric identification refers to verifying a person’s identity using unique physical or behavioral traits - such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns. It is already widely used for secure access to smartphones, online services, and airport security checks.