The introduction of new call labeling rules in Russia is dramatically increasing call costs by 5-20 times, leading to mass closures of call centers. The “Group 7/89” association has appealed to President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, urging them to cancel fees for calls shorter than three seconds.
New regulations for call labeling are threatening the existence of many call centers across Russia, according to the “Group 7/89” association of research companies. This organization is responsible for conducting over 50% of all telephone surveys nationwide, including those commissioned by state entities. The association reports that since the labeling requirements became effective on September 1st, 18 call centers in cities like Perm, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, and Vladimir have already ceased operations.
The primary concern, as emphasized by the association, is the exponential increase in call costs, which have soared by 5 to 20 times. To successfully gather just one respondent`s input, call centers often need to make up to 1,200 unsolicited calls. Compounding this challenge, nearly all mobile operators now charge for every labeled call, regardless of whether it connects or results in a successful interaction.
Furthermore, these changes could have significant repercussions for future sociological and political polling. For example, the association warned that ahead of the 2026 State Duma elections, political parties “might find themselves without objective data concerning the true public sentiment of citizens.”
Expert Opinions on the Crisis
Anna Ochkina Sociologist
“Approximately 25% of people wish to block calls from social services. Refusals are already high, a challenge sociology typically navigates by tracking these rates. However, rejections are particularly numerous now, especially when surveys touch on sensitive or politically charged topics. Regarding increased operational costs, I believe large entities like VCIOM (a major state pollster) will be unaffected, as they allocate substantial budgets for research. Independent researchers, who might prioritize anonymity and are more sensitive to financial constraints, will bear the brunt. Increasingly, reputable independent sociological firms are adopting qualitative observation methods, such as online interviews and focus groups. Interestingly, in environments where people are reluctant to discuss certain subjects, qualitative methods often yield more insight than quantitative ones, which already face numerous questions. This regulation is simply another obstacle, a `pebble in the shoe,` rather than the most significant issue in modern sociology. I anticipate digital research will continue its global expansion, partly because after the failures of Brexit and 2016 US election forecasts, the most accurate predictions came from companies analyzing social media sentiment. Surveys are merely one method, and their utility has limits.”
Evgeny Minchenko President of Minchenko Consulting, Director of the International Institute for Political Expertise
“Options are limited: face-to-face surveys are challenging as people are reluctant to open their doors, though some companies like FOM primarily use this method. There`s also online sociology, so efforts will be made to compensate for these losses. Indeed, people avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, partly due to heightened fears of scammers. VCIOM, to my knowledge, also employs constant panels, but even for those on these panels, the call still incurs a cost, so sociologists are understandably worried. I understand that informal discussions are currently underway about potentially exempting political sociology from these restrictions, either partially or fully, but this remains an ongoing discussion.”
Eldar Murtazin Leading Analyst at Mobile Research Group
“Amendments to the federal law `On Communications` mandate that every call originating from a legal entity or individual entrepreneur must be labeled. This ensures that when an organization calls an ordinary person, they are aware and can make an informed decision on whether to answer, preventing impersonation and thwarting scammers. These rules are straightforward and beneficial. Since operators incur costs for this service, the initiation of a call for a company will cost between 30 to 50 kopecks. This automatically eliminates spammers and call centers that indiscriminately dial numbers, often without knowing their recipients or the services they offer, thereby solving the spam problem. As for sociologists and their objections, they are essentially taking the side of spammers. Companies conducting social surveys often monetize their research results, and in my view, they should bear these associated costs. Furthermore, they shouldn`t randomly call people; they need to obtain permission from individuals before making such calls. Currently, they often bypass this. If they secure permission, and the screen displays `Sociological Survey by [Company Name],` and they potentially compensate people for participating, then individuals would readily answer, eliminating any issue. The current problem specifically impacts spammers, for whom these call costs become prohibitively immense.”
“Group 7/89” has submitted a formal appeal to President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. They request the abolition of fees for calls lasting less than three seconds, as currently mandated by the “On Communications” law. The association also urged that social research companies should not be penalized for conducting surveys without explicit prior consent from respondents, proposing that the mere act of answering a call clearly labeled “Survey” could be construed as consent to participate.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth