Russia grants border guards authority to inspect phones, laptops

Russia’s border authorities have been formally granted the power to inspect personal electronic devices, including mobile phones and laptops, when individuals cross the country’s state border, according to officials and legal experts.

Under the updated rules, travelers may be required to hand over their devices for inspection by border guards, the Tajikistan Ministry of Labour’s representative office in Russia said, citing confirmation from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). 

Authorities warned that refusing to comply or declining to unlock a device could be treated as disobedience to a lawful order. Such refusal may lead to penalties under Article 18.7 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses, including fines ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 rubles (approximately $50–$75) or administrative detention for up to 15 days.

The expanded powers stem from amendments introduced in July 2025 to the laws governing Russia’s state border and procedures for entry and exit. These changes explicitly authorize border officials to “inspect and examine items and objects,” a category that now clearly includes electronic devices.

Legal experts say the new provisions formalize a practice that has already been in place for some time. Evgeny Smirnov, a lawyer with the human rights group First Department, noted that while refusal to comply can result in administrative punishment, demands to unlock devices may raise constitutional concerns.

According to Smirnov, such requests could conflict with protections of privacy and the confidentiality of personal communications, which under Russian law typically require a court order to override. He added that despite the legal ambiguity, inspections of digital devices have been routinely carried out in practice.

Smirnov advised travelers to exercise caution, recommending that individuals avoid carrying sensitive or potentially compromising information on their devices when crossing the Russian border.

By Sabina Mammadli