The regulator dispelled widespread concerns surrounding the new security requirements for remote financial services, which will take effect on April 22. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan emphasized that rumors about the possible blocking of banking applications if the phone number does not match the account holder are not true. The main changes will primarily affect new customers who will connect to the services after the rules come into force.

As part of the updated security system, a check will be carried out to ensure the consistency of several user data points: mobile phone number, taxpayer identification number, and bank card. If the information matches, access to the applications will be maintained as usual without any restrictions. It is also permissible to use numbers registered to close relatives — parents, spouses, children, brothers, and sisters, with no additional barriers for such cases.

Restrictions may only arise in situations where the phone number or bank card is registered to an unrelated person who has no connection to the user. At the same time, existing customers of banking services need not worry: no changes are being introduced for them, and the new requirements will mainly apply to those who are connecting to financial services for the first time after April 22.