Armenia's Justice Minister Comments on Concerns About Citizen Monitoring via IMEI Registry
30.06.2026,
17:07
The introduction of a unified IMEI registry in Armenia is not intended to monitor citizens, stated RA Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan, commenting on the draft law amending the Law on Electronic Communications.
YEREVAN, June 30. /ARKA/. The introduction of a unified IMEI registry in Armenia is not intended to monitor citizens, stated RA Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan, commenting on the draft law amending the Law on Electronic Communications.
The draft law, which envisages the introduction of a system for registering and verifying IMEI codes for mobile phones, was previously approved by the government. The next step is to submit the bill to parliament for consideration.
According to Galyan, the draft law is aimed solely at prohibiting the illegal and smuggled import of mobile phones into Armenia.
"In such cases, a high threshold of personal data protection must be established. We are currently working on developing new legislation on personal data protection, and all your concerns regarding this matter will be allayed," Galyan noted.
About the Bill
The bill amending the Law on Electronic Communications, adopted by the Armenian government on June 26, requires mobile operators to verify IMEI codes when providing communications services.
According to the bill, citizens importing a mobile phone manufactured in 2025-2026 into Armenia will be required to register the device by paying a state fee of 3,000 drams. Registration of older phones will be free.
However, importing additional phones within one year will incur a higher fee: 100,000 drams for a device manufactured in 2026 and 20,000 drams for a phone manufactured in 2025.
The draft law, which envisages the introduction of a system for registering and verifying IMEI codes for mobile phones, was previously approved by the government. The next step is to submit the bill to parliament for consideration.
According to Galyan, the draft law is aimed solely at prohibiting the illegal and smuggled import of mobile phones into Armenia.
"In such cases, a high threshold of personal data protection must be established. We are currently working on developing new legislation on personal data protection, and all your concerns regarding this matter will be allayed," Galyan noted.
About the Bill
The bill amending the Law on Electronic Communications, adopted by the Armenian government on June 26, requires mobile operators to verify IMEI codes when providing communications services.
According to the bill, citizens importing a mobile phone manufactured in 2025-2026 into Armenia will be required to register the device by paying a state fee of 3,000 drams. Registration of older phones will be free.
However, importing additional phones within one year will incur a higher fee: 100,000 drams for a device manufactured in 2026 and 20,000 drams for a phone manufactured in 2025.