Russia Orders Tracking App for All Foreigners in Moscow

Russia has enacted a new law mandating that all foreign nationals in the Moscow region install a location-tracking application on their mobile devices, according to a government announcement. The measure is part of a broader strategy aimed at monitoring the movements of non-citizens within the capital and its surrounding areas.

The tracking app will reportedly collect real-time location data from users, though details regarding its technical specifications, enforcement mechanisms, and data retention policies have not been disclosed. The law applies exclusively to foreigners and is expected to be enforced upon entry to the Moscow region.

Critics have raised concerns over privacy and surveillance, but Russian officials have framed the initiative as a matter of public security. The regulation marks a significant development in the country’s approach to digital oversight of foreign visitors.

The law’s implementation timeline remains unclear, and it is not yet known how compliance will be verified or what penalties may apply for non-compliance.