Uzbek Digital Ministry Says No Threat From Virtual Phone Numbers

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies has stated there are no grounds for concern following social media reports about the sale of the country’s virtual phone numbers through international online services.

The ministry clarified that screenshots circulating online originated from the unofficial platform smsfast.com, which lists virtual numbers from multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, and Vietnam.

According to the ministry, such numbers are used only temporarily to receive one-time verification codes when registering for digital services. They cannot function as полноценные telephone numbers or provide access to telecom services. Officials emphasized that these numbers do not enable незаконный access to citizens’ personal data.

The ministry also noted that mobile operator networks have implemented systems to detect and prevent caller ID spoofing, which are continuously being improved as part of broader efforts to combat cybercrime.

At the same time, authorities acknowledged that the use of virtual numbers to create fake accounts remains a global issue. In Uzbekistan, updated telecom service regulations introduced on January 6, 2026, require mandatory biometric identification when заключение agreements with subscribers, strengthening oversight in the sector.

In addition, citizens can verify mobile numbers registered in their name through the “My Numbers” service available on the my.gov.uz portal.