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- The right to vote: the bill on biometrics in real estate transactions has reached the reading in the State Duma
The right to vote: the bill on biometrics in real estate transactions has reached the reading in the State Duma
In February, the State Duma may adopt in the first reading a bill according to which biometrics will be used in real estate transactions. According to Izvestiya, the bill was supported by the Accounts Chamber and the legal department of the lower house of parliament. Now, to register such transactions, owners have to go to the MFC. Developers see both pros and cons in the initiative. On the one hand, additional protection from fraudsters is necessary, on the other hand, not all Russians have a positive attitude to biometrics.
Biometrics in real estate transactions
In February, the State Duma may pass the first reading of the government bill, according to which biometrics will be used for online registration of property rights to real estate. The document was supported by the Accounts Chamber and the legal department of the lower house of parliament, whose reviews were reviewed by Izvestia. They say that there are no comments to the proposed norms.
- The first reading of the bill is planned to be held in February. We support this initiative. It will help to further protect citizens from fraudsters, who can often sell apartments remotely, without the personal presence of the owners, - explained "Izvestia" Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Andrei Svintsov.
The bill was developed on the initiative of Rosreestr and submitted to the State Duma in December last year. It proposes to amend Article 36 of the law "On State Registration of Real Estate", which will allow the use of the Unified Biometric System (UBS) to submit documents for the registration of real estate in electronic form.
- This will strengthen the security of online transactions and provide additional protection of property rights of citizens," the press service of Rosreestr explained to Izvestia.
Online real estate transactions are allowed to conduct on "Gosusluga" from the beginning of 2022. Documents are signed with an electronic digital signature, in which case a visit to a notary is not required. However, this began to be used by scammers with the help of social engineering methods. To deceive the swindlers get access to the digital signature, as well as to the passport, SNILS, TIN.
At the same time, they noted that currently there is already a measure of protection against fraud in electronic transactions with real estate.
- There is a mandatory written consent of the owner for state registration of rights on the basis of electronic documents. For this purpose it is necessary to give permission in person, after which a special mark is made in the USRN about the possibility of registration of documents signed with an enhanced qualified electronic signature (UKEP), - explained in Rosreestr.
There noted that the new measure in the form of biometrics will strengthen this protection. In particular, citizens will be able to submit documents for registration with the help of EBS, which allows to establish and confirm identity using biometric personal data.
- This mechanism will be applied in addition to the UKEP, which already ensures the reliability of the process of registration of property rights. The combination of the two factors will ensure a high level of security of such transactions and protect citizens from fraudulent actions with real estate. In addition, this is another step towards the digitalization of services of the agency to make them even more convenient for our users, - explained in Rosreestr.
According to the explanatory note to the bill, the new norms should come into force from July 1, 2026, as the implementation of the bill will require the finalization of information systems of Rosreestr.
"Izvestia" sent an inquiry to the Ministry of Construction with a request to assess the new mechanism of real estate purchase and sale protection.
Will biometrics help protect against fraudsters?
Developers have different opinions on the initiative. Thus, Ruslan Syrtsov, Managing Director of Metrium, believes that any unnecessary actions increase the risk that the transaction will not take place.
- In fact, two iterations are added to the process: first it is necessary to appear in person and pass biometrics (what it will be, it is still unclear: fingerprints, a photo of the face, etc.), and then already authorized online to conclude the agreement, - he explained to "Izvestia".
The Unified Biometric System is a state information system that ensures the collection of biometric personal data, their storage and use for authentication and identification of users. It uses two parameters simultaneously - voice and face. At the end of 2021, it acquired the status of a state information system, and JSC "Center of Biometric Technologies" became its operator.
According to him, at the same time, in certain situations, the possibility of a remote transaction can be useful: if the buyer or seller have reached an agreement, but will be able to conduct it only after some time, but in general, such stories are rare.
- To buy housing Russians are very responsible and try to personally go through all the stages. In addition, in recent years have become not uncommon leaks of personal data, and mass, - said the developer.
He noted that Russians are not always positive about biometrics.
Dmitry Golev, Commercial Director of Optima Development, on the contrary, assesses the initiative positively.
- It can indeed significantly reduce the number of fraudulent schemes, and transactions will become more transparent. However, it is important that the idea be thoroughly worked out and repeatedly tested before implementation. The iris and fingerprint recognition methods should be fundamental. These are inimitable, practically unforgeable characteristics, and even within the framework of dipfake technologies," he explained to Izvestia.
In addition, Dmitry Golev believes that it is necessary to protect the database, where the information will be accumulated, from leaks as much as possible. And, of course, there is still the question of the attitude of Russians to biometrics.
- For various reasons, about a third of Russian citizens are still distrustful of this form of information collection and verification. So, perhaps, preliminary public discussions are needed," said the business representative.
But the co-founder and co-owner of GC "Rodina" Vladimir Shchekin believes that the current system of protection of transactions from fraud in Russia is not enough. The introduction of biometrics will make it possible to fully secure the property rights and personal data of citizens, he summarized.
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