Google Pay, the payment service that lets users pay with Google Wallet on Android phones, has been launched in Uzbekistan.
Marcin Krasuski, director of government affairs and public policy for Google Cloud in Central and Eastern Europe, announced the launch on Monday at C5+1 events (Central Asian countries and the United States) in Samarkand.
The Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan published video of his remarks at a sector session on digital technologies.
“I am very pleased to announce that today Google is launching GPay, or Google Pay, services in Uzbekistan,” Krasuski said. He said this was made possible by “progressive regulation in the digital sphere” in the country.
His announcement was followed by applause from those present.
At the end of March, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law amending the Personal Data Law. The document removed the blanket requirement to store all personal data on servers inside Uzbekistan. The requirement now remains only for biometric and genetic data and for data on telecommunications operators’ subscribers. Other personal data may be processed abroad provided a number of conditions are met.
During a visit to the United States in November 2025, Mirziyoyev met representatives of American companies, investment funds and financial institutions. The president raised the issue of platforms’ use of personal data and announced that amendments to the legislation would be made.
“There are questions about storing personal data and regulating digital platforms. Together with our American partners, we are finalizing work to update the legislation. This will create opportunities to launch the global international systems Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as to set up a digital academy and a network of startup hubs,” the president said.
A year earlier, in October 2024, the government approved measures for “making effective use of Uzbekistan’s tourism potential.” The Tourism Committee, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Digital Technologies were to hold talks with Alipay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Unipay on connecting them to Uzbekistan’s payment systems and services.
