Restriction of Public Services for Unpaid Fines: New Regulations to be Introduced in Kazakhstan

The Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan has approved in its first reading a draft law focused on road safety, digitalization, and personal data protection. The document, presented by Deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyayeva, introduces a series of technological and regulatory changes to the sector.

As part of the bill, it is planned to equip ambulances and public transport vehicles with certified specialized devices that automatically record traffic violations. This measure aims to expand the scope of detecting offenses and strengthen order on the roads. Furthermore, a provision is being considered to restrict the provision of public services to citizens who have outstanding administrative fines in the field of road safety.

To improve the quality of driver training, driving schools will transition from a notification-based system to a licensing (permit) system. To commence operations, educational organizations must now confirm the availability of:

• Appropriate material and technical facilities;

• Specialized training grounds and circuits (autodromes);

• A high-quality vehicle fleet and a qualified staff of instructors.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs will maintain a state registry of institutions that meet these requirements. Organizations not included in the registry will be prohibited from providing educational services.

The second block of the law is dedicated to personal data protection. Operators will be classified as small, medium, or large based on the volume of information processed and the level of risk. Key innovations include:

1. Registry of Compromised Data: Citizens will be able to check whether their personal information has been leaked to open sources.

2. Masking and Hashing: It will be mandatory to protect personal information in documents that must be published openly (e.g., court rulings, public procurement) using cryptographic methods.

3. Encryption: A requirement for the mandatory encryption of data during exchanges between operators is being introduced.

These legislative amendments are aimed at ensuring public safety and increasing the level of protection for citizens' rights in the digital environment.