President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev has outlined the next phase of Kazakhstan's digitalization: smartphones should be seen not only as a means of communication or entertainment, but also as a tool for accessing services, conducting business, and earning income, reports infohub.kz.
Thus, the republic is moving from digitalization of government services to a more complex stage – the practical use of technology in the economy and everyday life.
The smartphone becomes a gateway to banking operations, government services, e-commerce, education, and entrepreneurial activities. Consequently, the digital economy needs not only new platforms and applications, but also trust in the devices through which people enter this environment.
It is this logic that underpins the mobile device verification project by IMEI code being implemented in Kazakhstan. It aligns with the state policy aimed at making digitalization work for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
Verification is not just a technical check of the phone; it is one of the tools for creating a transparent mobile device market: reducing the circulation of illegally imported devices, identifying incorrect and duplicate IMEI codes, as well as phones on international blacklists.
For honest businesses, the project means more equal competitive conditions. Companies that officially import devices, fulfill tax and customs obligations, and provide warranties to customers should not have to compete with opaque supply channels solely on price differences. Therefore, verification has not only technological but also economic significance.
An equally important result is the change in consumer behavior. In a mature market, buyers evaluate not only the price, features, and appearance of a smartphone, but also its legal and technical status. Checking the IMEI before payment should become as routine as reviewing warranty terms or obtaining a fiscal receipt.
Major market players are already integrating such checks into their own digital infrastructure. In particular, Freedom Mobile is developing a 'Check IMEI before purchase' service in the Freedom SuperApp, allowing users to find out the device's status in advance. Thus, verification becomes part of the customer journey: buyers can check the smartphone before payment, and sellers can confirm its compliance with established requirements.
For already purchased devices that have not passed verification, Freedom Mobile also offers a trade-in mechanism. This shows how businesses can not only meet new requirements but also create practical solutions that are understandable to consumers.
Now, buyers have the right to request the IMEI code from the seller in advance and check the device's status. This approach reduces the risk of an unsuccessful purchase and fosters a more responsible behavioral model: first, ensure the reliability and legality of the product, then decide on payment.
If the lack of verification is discovered after purchase, the buyer can contact the seller to demand an exchange of the device or a refund in accordance with consumer protection legislation.
A digital state is defined not only by the number of available online services. Its maturity is reflected in how reliable the entire environment is – from the digital platform to the device in the user's hands. If a smartphone becomes a tool for business, accessing services, and earning income, it must be legal, verified, and secure.
In this sense, IMEI verification is part of a broader infrastructure of trust, without which the sustainable development of the digital economy is impossible.