Unauthorized disclosure of banking records to external parties is considered a punishable offense in Kazakhstan
In the Republic of Kazakhstan, a series of new changes have been introduced in the criminal legislation to prevent financial crimes and protect personal data. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has reported these changes, aimed at ensuring security, legal responsibility, and the protection of personal and bank data.
The new changes are specifically targeted at illegal activities involving bank cards, with a focus on preventing the use of other people's bank cards in such activities. The MIA has advised against participating in 'easy money' schemes involving bank card or account transfer, warning that cardholders may unwittingly become accomplices to illegal activities through card usage.
The MIA emphasizes the importance of protecting personal and bank data, considering it a key to property, security, and legal responsibility. In line with this, the new changes establish criminal liability for transferring one's bank details to third parties, as well as for making transfers or payments on behalf of others for material remuneration or with the aim of obtaining it.
The new changes also introduce administrative offenses under Article 640 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, establishing liability for sharing or misusing another person’s electronic digital signature private key. The MIA recommends not sharing bank details with third parties and advises immediate reporting of any potential financial crimes to banks or law enforcement agencies.
These changes form part of broader legislative efforts to enhance information security and safeguard personal data. The government has developed mechanisms like NomadGuard to enable individuals to check for exposure of their personal information. These efforts come in response to events such as the data leak affecting 16 million citizens that exposed sensitive identifying information, including bank-related data.
While these changes focus on electronic data security and administrative liability, they do not explicitly criminalize the misuse of bank account details beyond the scope of digital signature misuse and data protection. However, the MIA encourages public awareness and vigilance to combat financial crimes.
These new regulations are part of a wider trend towards strengthening financial market security and oversight in Kazakhstan. In addition, amendments signed in mid-2025 focus on reducing administrative barriers for foreign banks entering Kazakhstan and reinforcing requirements for an impeccable business reputation.
Sources: - Amendments establishing liability for misuse of electronic digital signatures and personal data protection improvements. - Related banking regulation updates enhancing financial market supervision but not criminalizing data misuse explicitly. - The MIA warns that cardholders may not realize they are becoming accomplices to illegal activities. - The Ministry of Internal Affairs encourages immediate reporting of any potential financial crimes to banks or law enforcement agencies. - The new changes in the criminal legislation are aimed at protecting personal data in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- The new changes in the criminal legislation of Kazakhstan specifically target illegal activities involving bank cards, focusing on preventing the use of other people's bank cards.
- Additionally, the new regulations establish criminal liability for transferring one's bank details to third parties and making transfers or payments on behalf of others for material remuneration or with the aim of obtaining it.
