Russia plans AI to police banned content in video games like Minecraft

Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor has proposed using AI to detect banned content in video games. The initiative was announced by Stanislav Makhortov at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. It aims to address challenges in monitoring games with frequently updated material. The Main Radio Frequency Center, a Roskomnadzor division, put forward the plan to develop an AI agent for spotting prohibited material. Makhortov, deputy head of the GRFC’s special projects department, explained that the agent would automatically flag banned content in titles like Minecraft. He also highlighted technical hurdles, such as gaming platforms detecting and blocking AI agents as bots.

To overcome these issues, he suggested embedding the technology directly into games through legal mandates. This approach follows ongoing debates about regulating Russia’s gaming industry. Earlier in June, Roskomnadzor and the Ministry of Digital Development unblocked Roblox after agreeing on user protection terms.

A bill on video game development and distribution, introduced to the State Duma in 2024, faced criticism and was returned for revision in 2025. The proposal reflects the need for new methods, as traditional oversight struggles with the dynamic nature of game content. The AI agent would provide a way to enforce content restrictions in video games. Its implementation would require cooperation from game developers and legal backing. The move signals Russia’s push for stricter digital oversight in gaming.