The Lower House of Uzbekistan's Oliy Majlis has advanced a legislative initiative aimed at enhancing the management of electronic and digital evidence. This move comes amidst a rising trend in cybercrimes leveraging digital technologies, particularly targeting financial transactions and personal data security.
According to reports from the parliament's press service, the draft law received approval in its first reading, signaling a proactive response to the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. Criminal activities such as carding, involving the illicit duplication and misuse of bank cards, have become prevalent, posing risks to both bank accounts and electronic wallets linked to payment services.
Members of the Lower House pointed out the necessity of these changes to fortify the protection of individuals and organizations against cyber threats. They emphasized that these amendments aim to eliminate existing loopholes in procedural legislation, ultimately bolstering the effectiveness of the judicial system.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had earlier signed a decree in November 2023 specifically targeting digital offenses. This decree empowered the Central Bank of Uzbekistan to swiftly block suspicious transactions, enhancing the security measures for financial transactions. Furthermore, banks and payment service providers were instructed to enforce stricter controls over bank card usage and large peer-to-peer transfers. New protocols were introduced to gather data on SIM cards and IMEI numbers, and to restrict multiple authorizations from the same profile, aiming to curb fraudulent activities.
During a meeting with the president in December, it was disclosed that a significant majority, 70%, of cybercrimes reported were related to fraud and theft from bank cards. In response, President Mirziyoyev directed the formulation of unified regulatory standards for financial technology (fintech) services to further strengthen cybersecurity measures.
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