Russia asks telecoms to delay blocking unlabeled bank calls until November
In short
Russia's Digital Development Ministry asked telecom operators to delay restrictions on unlabeled incoming bank calls until the beginning of November. The request gives banks more time to negotiate and sign caller-labeling agreements, outlets reported on October 14.
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Russia's Digital Development Ministry asked telecom operators to postpone restrictions on incoming bank calls without caller labels until the beginning of November, according to reports published on October 14. The ministry said the additional time would allow banks and operators to continue negotiations and complete their labeling agreements. Operators had planned to restrict unlabeled calls from October 15, according to TASS and Vedomosti. The reports describe the ministry's request but do not provide responses from each operator. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Mandatory labeling of calls from companies and individual entrepreneurs took effect on September 1, 2025. Operators are required to display the calling organization's name on a mobile phone screen, RIA Novosti reported. Interfax said labeling is paid for by the caller regardless of whether the connection is completed. The ministry said the overwhelming majority of financial institutions had signed the necessary contracts, while some banks, including systemically important ones, were still discussing and signing them. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
The ministry said the delay would help resolve remaining issues without restricting important calls to bank customers. It argued that caller labels increase trust by showing that a number belongs to a real organization. The ministry also said spam calls in Russia had declined by 25%–30% after labeling was introduced. Vedomosti and CNews cited VCIOM figures showing that 48% of respondents noticed improvement in unwanted calls and 53% reported fewer fraudulent calls. The figures and assessment were presented in support of the ministry's account of the labeling system. [ 4 , 5 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The ministry said the extra time would help avoid blocking important calls to customers. Some banks, including systemically important institutions, were still discussing agreements even though labeling requirements took effect on September 1, 2025.
Key facts
- The ministry requested a delay until early November in restrictions on unlabeled bank calls. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Operators had planned restrictions from October 15. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Mandatory labeling of calls from companies and individual entrepreneurs took effect on September 1, 2025. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- The ministry said most financial institutions had signed agreements, but some banks were still negotiating. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The reports do not confirm that every operator has accepted the requested delay. They describe a ministry request rather than operator responses.