"This is excessive control and data collection": expert on the IMEI registration system for phones in Armenia
26.06.2026,
16:01
The introduction of a unified system for registering and monitoring mobile phone IMEI codes in Armenia could lead to increased surveillance of users and excessive data collection, according to information security expert and co-founder of Cyberhub.am Samvel Martirosyan.
YEREVAN, June 26. /ARKA/. The introduction of a unified system for registering and monitoring mobile phone IMEI codes in Armenia could lead to increased surveillance of users and excessive data collection, according to information security expert and co-founder of Cyberhub.am Samvel Martirosyan.
He commented on the amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications, approved by the government yesterday, which provide for the introduction of a system for registering and monitoring mobile phone IMEI codes.
"The government has decided to register the IMEI codes of all our mobile phones. The IMEI is a unique 15-digit identification number for a phone, like a license plate. This essentially makes the phone owner more vulnerable to control," Martirosyan said in a video posted on Facebook.
According to him, the official goal of the initiative is to combat the "black" market for mobile phones, but concerns are raised about the fact that control will be exercised not only through the SIM card but also through the device itself.
"According to the draft, a certain non-governmental organization will be created that will be provided with phone IMEI codes, SIM card data, passport information of owners, and border crossing information," the expert said.
Martirosyan noted that phones not registered in the IMEI registry will be blocked. "This is a 'great joy' for tourists: a person arrives in Armenia, and on the 30th day, their phone stops working if the device is not registered, requiring them to go and register specially," he said.
According to him, this constitutes disproportionate data collection without a clear mechanism for monitoring its use.
"The question arises: is it worth creating yet another system of total control, for which citizens will ultimately have to pay, just to remove several thousand phones illegally imported into Armenia from the market? Such serious decisions must first undergo broad public discussion," Martirosyan concluded.
About the Bill
The bill amending the Law on Electronic Communications, adopted by the Armenian government on June 26, stipulates mandatory IMEI code verification by mobile operators when providing communications services.
According to the bill, citizens importing a mobile phone manufactured in 2025-2026 will be required to register the device by paying a state fee of 3,000 drams. Registration of older phones will be free.
At the same time, an increased fee is imposed for the import of additional phones within one year: 100,000 drams for a device manufactured in 2026 and 20,000 drams for a phone manufactured in 2025.
He commented on the amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications, approved by the government yesterday, which provide for the introduction of a system for registering and monitoring mobile phone IMEI codes.
"The government has decided to register the IMEI codes of all our mobile phones. The IMEI is a unique 15-digit identification number for a phone, like a license plate. This essentially makes the phone owner more vulnerable to control," Martirosyan said in a video posted on Facebook.
According to him, the official goal of the initiative is to combat the "black" market for mobile phones, but concerns are raised about the fact that control will be exercised not only through the SIM card but also through the device itself.
"According to the draft, a certain non-governmental organization will be created that will be provided with phone IMEI codes, SIM card data, passport information of owners, and border crossing information," the expert said.
Martirosyan noted that phones not registered in the IMEI registry will be blocked. "This is a 'great joy' for tourists: a person arrives in Armenia, and on the 30th day, their phone stops working if the device is not registered, requiring them to go and register specially," he said.
According to him, this constitutes disproportionate data collection without a clear mechanism for monitoring its use.
"The question arises: is it worth creating yet another system of total control, for which citizens will ultimately have to pay, just to remove several thousand phones illegally imported into Armenia from the market? Such serious decisions must first undergo broad public discussion," Martirosyan concluded.
About the Bill
The bill amending the Law on Electronic Communications, adopted by the Armenian government on June 26, stipulates mandatory IMEI code verification by mobile operators when providing communications services.
According to the bill, citizens importing a mobile phone manufactured in 2025-2026 will be required to register the device by paying a state fee of 3,000 drams. Registration of older phones will be free.
At the same time, an increased fee is imposed for the import of additional phones within one year: 100,000 drams for a device manufactured in 2026 and 20,000 drams for a phone manufactured in 2025.