Citizens of the Republic of Moldova who are or plan to go to the Russian Federation are warned about the risks associated with using the “Amina” application. The diplomacy of Chisinau informs that the system was developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, for the digital monitoring of foreigners.
The application is mandatory in Russia for certain foreign citizens and migrants, including those from the Republic of Moldova, writes IPN. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chișinău, its use can generate risks regarding the migratory status of Moldovan citizens.
One of the risks is deportation and the ban on entering Russia. According to Moldovan diplomats, any technical error in the application can be treated as a violation of the residency regime and can lead to the cancellation of migration records, expulsion, and a ban on entering Russia for a period of three to five years.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also warns of financial penalties, as well as the possibility of losing legal status. Delays in data transmission, caused by technical issues in the application, can result in administrative fines. Two such penalties in a year can trigger a ban on entry into Russia and the cancellation of work documents, patents, or residence permits.
Another risk mentioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs relates to digital monitoring and personal data protection. The application requests permanent background access to GPS, camera, and microphone. According to the MFA, the system may record discrepancies between the phone’s location and the official registration address as violations, including in the case of short-term movements.
The MFA also warns about the technical instability of the application, which may freeze, disconnect, or display errors in recognizing biometric data. The authority in Chisinau notes that these malfunctions are difficult to demonstrate in the case of applying sanctions.