Why is this important
Failure in the UzIMEI system and excessive bureaucratic requirements hinder device registration, cause user complaints, and reduce trust in digital government services. Since 2024, customs regulations have been tightened and payments have increased, which has intensified the tension.
Key facts
- Users complain about malfunctions in uzimei.uz, my.gov.uz and the BIRDA application;
- The Ministry of Digital Technologies acknowledged technical issues and stated that they are being addressed promptly;
- Additional fees are related not to the IMEI, but to the absence of a customs declaration;
- The number of registered IMEI devices increased from 1.6 million in 2019 to 8.4 million in 2024.
- Import customs payments increased from 5.1 billion to 621.2 billion soums;
- The number of officially imported phones increased 265 times — to 3.5 million;
- 20.3 thousand stolen devices, 298 thousand fake IMEI were added to the “blacklist”;
- A mobile financial application protection system is being developed jointly with the Central Bank.
What they say
The system will be simplified, technical failures will be eliminated, — said Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies.
Context
The UzIMEI system has been operating since 2019. All mobile phones imported into the country are subject to mandatory registration. In recent months, complaints about idle platforms and difficulties with registering a second IMEI have become more frequent. The senators demanded explanations and reforms from the Ministry of Digital Development.
