Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The rapid development of information technologies has resulted in the expansion of digital opportunities, but it has also led to an increase in their misuse for illegal purposes. Every year, cybercrimes increase in number, while their methods become more sophisticated. As a result, it becomes increasingly important to detect and prevent such crimes in a timely manner.

A meeting was held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs to review cybersecurity measures, efforts to prevent cybercrime, and the implementation of assigned tasks in order to address these challenges.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Internal Affairs Lieutenant General Aziz Tashpulatov, deputy ministers, and officials responsible for the relevant sectoral services.

During the meeting, participants assessed the implementation of instructions given by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan during his visit to the Andijan region, as well as the tasks outlined in presidential decrees and resolutions regarding cybersecurity. In addition to hearing reports from responsible officials, problems in the field and possible solutions were discussed.

A number of specific measures have been developed to achieve the Ministry's goal of making 2026 the "Year of Combating Cybercrime."

A mechanism developed in cooperation with the Central Bank to block funds illegally withdrawn from bank cards has prevented the transfers of 77.344 billion UZS out of the country so far this year. Moreover, 43,001 bank cards linked to criminal activity were blocked.

A total of 17,483 cybercrimes were resolved this year, including 5,600 detected as a result of proactive measures. A total of 209.934 billion UZS worth of financial losses suffered by over 19,000 citizens have been recovered. Over 668,000 citizens' devices and financial assets were protected from theft as more than 38,000 malicious phishing programs designed to illegally withdraw money from their bank accounts were neutralized.

As a result of monitoring the internet, 6,771 data items were analyzed, 3,192 dangerous resources were blocked, and 1,446 malicious links used for fraud were removed. In total, 335 individuals were subjected to administrative measures, and 1,011 individuals were charged with distributing prohibited materials in cyberspace. In addition, efforts are being made to restrict content related to terrorism, drugs, pornography, crypto-assets, gambling, and illegal weapons.

A special emphasis was placed on prevention. A total of 532,075 awareness-raising activities were conducted this year. Moreover, 2,565 pieces of warning content have been prepared for the Uzbek segment of the internet and are regularly published across 650 platforms. A culture of cybersecurity was also promoted in the information space.

Furthermore, the meeting evaluated critically the fact that current efforts to combat cybercrime do not fully meet modern expectations.

Despite best efforts, measures to prevent, detect, and solve cybercrimes in a timely manner, as well as to eliminate the causes and conditions that contribute to them, remain insufficiently effective. As a result of the meeting, the importance of enhancing initiative and personal responsibility among officials, utilizing modern information technologies to a broader extent, and enhancing the results of ongoing work was highlighted.

Following the discussion, tasks were developed to strengthen cooperation with the Central Bank and commercial banks, to make effective use of anti-fraud systems, and to take additional steps to detect and prevent internet fraud as early as possible.

Additionally, instructions were issued for enhancing the use of the "APK Qo'riqchi" platform and maximizing its capabilities. Cybersecurity awareness campaigns will be conducted among the public in order to increase citizens' awareness of fraud schemes and data security, and to increase the effectiveness of preventive measures.

Additionally, the meeting criticized weaknesses in the organization of cybersecurity efforts in Tashkent, Andijan, Bukhara, and Samarkand regions. The importance of addressing failures in the implementation of assignments, strengthening the personal accountability of responsible officials, and enhancing the effectiveness of preventive measures was emphasized.

After the meeting, responsible officials were instructed to increase the use of modern information platforms to prevent cybercrime, intensify public awareness activities, and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the measures being implemented.