Armenia's public services regulatory commission trying to take control of internet traffic

YEREVAN, October 21. /ARKA/. Armenia's  Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) is trying to make Internet providers archive IP, IMEI, email and other current user data for 2 years, media and cyber security expert Samvel Martirosyan wrote in a social network post.

"A few days ago, one of the providers told me that they received a proposal from the PSRC to adopt data archiving standards. In fact, the regulator demands that providers store IP, IMEI, email and other data of all users for two years," he said.

According to him, it is assumed that  all data about who, when and through which device connected to the Internet, the size of traffic, IP addresses of all Internet connections, IMEI of mobile devices from which the global network was logged in, ID- user registration number with all their personal data are to be archived.

“In the case of emails, the content will not be archived , but all the data about the technical means by which they are transmitted,  and the time and place of sending,” he said. Martirosyan noted that these steps indicate the intention to secretly create a system to control  Internet users.

"The decision will enter into force on January 1, 2020, which is absurd since the regulator did not conduct any consultations with providers. In addition to the availability of user information, this step can lead to a sharp rise in the price of the Internet, as providers will be forced to buy new equipment," he said.

The expert emphasized that these moves can dramatically affect the world image of Armenia to make it a country in which control over the Internet and users is established. --0—

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15:16 10/21/2019