In 2022, Russia will stop issuing paper passports, which will be replaced by cards with chips containing digital copies of passport details.
According to the VCIOM national public opinion research center, 85% of Russians have heard of e-passports, but 59% are less than enthusiastic about getting one. The main reason for their reluctance is low confidence in the digital card’s protection against hacking or unlawful interventions.
As many as 31% would like to have an electronic passport, mostly men (36%), as well as young people aged 18-24 (41%).
Eleven percent of respondents believe the main advantage of an e-passport is keeping all the necessary data in one card. Another 8% noted its durability and as many emphasized its compactness and the low risk of loss. Also, 7% of Russians mentioned the practicality of a digital document.
As many as 22% of Russians said an electronic passport is unreliable, and 8% said they fear breakdowns in the system or database; 4% fear data leakage to third parties, and 3% believe an electronic document might not be accepted by all services and authorities.