Undercover salesman for espionage technology apprehended in possession of a police vehicle in Astana, captured on camera.
In Astana, Kazakhstan, a 41-year-old man was recently detained by the police for selling special technical devices designed for covert surveillance and eavesdropping. The news of his detainment and the seized equipment was reported by the city's Police Department.
The man had a range of devices, including 4 voice recorders, 22 cameras, 5 GPS trackers, and spy devices, as well as a home alarm system, phone taps, glasses, a wristwatch, and photo frames with built-in cameras. He was found to be selling these devices on classified sites and accepting payment via bank card, but no permits were presented during his detainment.
The sale of such equipment without proper permits is considered illegal in Kazakhstan. The public is reminded to abide by the laws regarding the sale and purchase of surveillance equipment.
While there are no publicly detailed legal provisions specifically addressing the sale and purchase of special technical devices for covert surveillance in Astana, relevant regulatory insights can be inferred from related legislation and general data about Kazakhstan's regulation framework.
Kazakhstan's laws concerning artificial intelligence and surveillance technology emphasize strict controls on biometric data, remote real-time biometric identification, and the use of surveillance outputs. The draft law dated July 2025 prohibits remote real-time biometric identification of individuals in public places and detection of emotions without consent, except where permitted by law. It also bans manipulation through AI that may threaten health, property, or fundamental rights.
This suggests that the sale and use of covert surveillance devices, especially those capable of biometric identification or emotional detection, are likely regulated under laws protecting personal data and privacy rights, requiring authorization or licensing. The distribution and application must comply with norms aimed at avoiding privacy violations or discrimination.
Given this lack of explicit statute in the sources, rules for import, sale, and purchase of such devices are likely governed by national security, communications, and surveillance laws administered by relevant governmental authorities (e.g., Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Digital Development) with strict licensing, registration, or prohibition requirements for certain devices.
Purchasers and sellers of these devices in Astana would need to obtain all necessary licenses and permits from Kazakh regulatory bodies, potentially including customs clearance for import. They must also comply with restrictions on the use of surveillance technologies that infringe on privacy or involve unauthorized biometric identification. Strict data protection and personal privacy laws, reflecting limitations noted in the draft AI law, would also apply.
No detailed step-by-step legal procedural requirements or licensing frameworks are found in the current public search results, so consulting the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan or legal counsel specializing in Kazakh telecommunications and surveillance law is recommended to get authoritative guidance.
The ongoing investigation into the man's activities serves as a reminder of the importance of complying with Kazakhstan’s evolving legislation on AI, privacy, and biometric data use, with probable mandatory licensing and strict restrictions against unauthorized surveillance activities.
- The man's detainment in Astana for selling covert surveillance devices highlights the importance of obtaining proper permits for gadgets like voice recorders, cameras, GPS trackers, and spy devices, as their sale is considered illegal without them in Kazakhstan.
- Consequences for not adhering to Kazakhstan's laws regarding the sale of technology such as artificial intelligence and surveillance devices could result in penalties, as indicated by the ongoing investigation into the man's activities, underscoring the need for a thorough understanding of the country's regulations.
