Kazakhstan's Interior Minister Updates on Kyzdar.net Investigation, Crackdown on Online Pandering

Kazakhstan's Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov spoke about the investigation into Kyzdar.net and efforts to combat online platforms facilitating pandering during a podcast hosted by the Central Communications Service under the President, Orda.kz reports.

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The podcast host noted that, despite ongoing enforcement measures, the Internet remains flooded with disguised ads for illegal services, often labeled as body massage advertisements.

We have an article that provides for punishment for this. For example, the owner of the premises where such services were provided can be held liable,
Yerzhan Sadenov

Sadenov also addressed the high-profile Kyzdar.net case, where authorities uncovered an organized criminal network running an online pandering operation.

In previous years, we have identified organized crime groups that were involved in online pandering. We also blocked the Kyzdar.net website. Some of the organizers have already been punished. Others are facing legal proceedings, he said.

Kyzdar.net was a significant platform facilitating pandering in Kazakhstan. In 2023, law enforcement agencies detained 11 top managers of the site, revealing a total turnover exceeding eight billion tenge.

However, in September 2024, the criminal case against the organizers was dropped due to legal gaps, as Kazakhstan’s legislation at the time did not explicitly criminalize online platforms profiting from pandering.

While Kyzdar.net has attempted to evade authorities by changing domain names, the revised legislation allowed for a more effective crackdown, ultimately leading to the blocking of the site.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina