Conservative legislators and Orthodox proponents in Russia are pushing for the establishment of a nationwide register of married individuals, which would be available via the country’s digital service portal, Gosuslugi.
The initiative, spearheaded By the Orthodox-affiliated initiative Sorok Sorokov, this effort aims to allow people to check if a prospective mate is already lawfully wedded, as part of an endeavor to tackle cheating and rebuild faith within partnerships.
The proposal emerges due to increasing worries about spousal deception. Sorok Sorokov, which means "Forty Forties" in English, refers to survey statistics showing that more than a third of Russian individuals confess to being unfaithful, and roughly 30 percent of divorces result from cheating outside marriage. The organization stated publicly that “knowing their deceptions might come to light could make them reconsider lying to their partners.” They also mentioned that this registry would offer those considering significant relationships a chance to “check each other’s sincerity” before things become irreversible.
Established in 2013, Sorok Sorokov is a conservative Russian Orthodox organization that advocates for conventional family norms, religious instruction, and safeguarding Orthodox Christian traditions. This collective has attracted attention primarily due to its involvement in organizing people who help build and protect church structures, especially within cities where these projects frequently encounter opposition from local communities. They typically support nationalistic views aligned with those of the Orthodox Church, pushing for legislation they believe will strengthen societal morals. At the same time, this group actively resists progressive social changes, including LGBTQ+ rights and alterations to established gender dynamics.
The proposal has garnered backing from State Duma Deputy Vitaly Milonov, who is well-known for his advocacy of conservative social policies. Milonov has proposed that the registry might be integrated into a larger digital transformation effort, potentially encompassing areas such as a government-operated dating service. platform using filters to leave out "individuals who have been unfaithful" and those behind on their alimony payments.
"This isn't surveillance — it's about assisting good people to connect with one another," Milonov said to local press.
An advocate for Orthodox principles, Milonov gained recognition for helping enact Russia’s 2013 "gay propaganda" legislation, banning the promotion of LGBTQ+ material to young people. His advocacy often draws media focus due to his traditionalist drives, including attempts to bar performances from Western artists such as Madonna and moves to outlaw international celebrations like Halloween.
As per Sorok Sorokov, the proposed system aims to avoid revealing individuals' identities or private details. Rather than doing so, it will verify someone’s current marital status through authorized bodies like ZAGS, which is part of Gosuslugi. However, privacy proponents and experts in law express significant reservations about this idea, cautioning that it might violate data safeguard laws and promote distrust within institutions by substituting transparent relationship dialogues with government-monitored surveillance. Opponents further contend that this suggestion reflects a larger trend towards ethical oversight and superficial policies instead of thorough social strategies.
The idea of a registry aligns with the Russian government's heightened attempts to address the worsening population decrease. The birth rate continues to hover around record low numbers, and marriages are becoming less frequent. Despite the Kremlin focusing on strategies aimed at promoting bigger families and boosting births—such as offering monetary rewards and limiting access to certain reproductive services—the outcomes from these initiatives have been relatively modest so far.