Russia Approves Digital Passport: QR Codes Replace Paper Documents
The Russian government has approved a digital alternative to the traditional paper passport. Citizens can now use a QR code generated from the 'Gosuslugi' portal app in certain situations, with plans to expand its use across various sectors. Initially, the QR code will be accepted in places like cinemas, museums, office centers, stores, and post offices. Later, it will be rolled out to financial institutions, mobile operator salons, private medical facilities, and hotels. The use of these digital passports is voluntary, and paper documents will continue to be valid. Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to consider extending the maximum appointment duration for medical services through the 'Gosuslugi' portal. The expansion of QR code use will happen in stages as organizations connect to the 'GosDoki' service, which already exists for sharing information about certain documents. The use of digital passports in Russia is a step towards digital transformation, aiming to ease citizen interactions with authorities. While the exact timeline and participating agencies are yet to be specified, the move is part of a broader trend of advancing QR code and digital technology use in various sectors to improve efficiency and access to public services.
