On December 28, Minsk /Andrei Asfura - BELTA/. Internet cafe owners will be able to identify visitors via SMS by the end of January. This was announced to a BELTA correspondent by Pavel Petrulevich, Head of the Electrosignalisation Department of the Ministry of Communications and Informatisation. The possibility of using alternative methods of user identification - using technical means of photo- and video recording or other software and hardware methods, including SMS messages - is provided for by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 1191 of December 22, 2012. "The Resolution is primarily aimed at optimising the existing mechanisms for identifying internet cafe visitors," noted the Head of the Department. According to him, in other countries, the identification of internet cafe visitors via SMS has become the most widespread. "A person entering an establishment with a public access point can send an SMS to a specific number, receive a login and password, and then use the services on a paid or free basis," explained Pavel Petrulevich. Current regulations stipulate that the identification of internet cafe visitors is carried out using identity documents. This may include a student ID, passport, or driver's license. "However, considering that technology is constantly advancing and more effective means exist, today we have proposed to carry out user identification using software and hardware tools," said Pavel Petrulevich. The specific method of identification will be determined by the head of the public access point or their authorised representative. When using photo- and video recording equipment, their placement should be chosen so as to record the entrance(s) to the premises, an overall view of the premises with the location of workstations, as well as the place(s) of payment for services rendered. At the same time, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of recording information displayed on the monitor screen and information entered by users on input devices. The Resolution will come into force one month after its official publication, i.e., approximately at the end of January 2013.

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