Deputy Head of Roskomnadzor, Vadim Subbotin, shared in an interview with TASS that the agency supports the December draft law on video games, at least the part concerning the necessity of game labeling.
Vadim Subbotin. Photo source: State Duma archive
Subbotin believes that game labeling is primarily needed to protect young gamers from unsuitable information. He did not comment on specific initiatives like the labeling by APRIORI during his conversation with TASS.
“In our opinion, it's necessary to develop transparent general labeling rules flexibly. The existing rules for mass media seem to be a good foundation. However, they need to be updated in terms of game regulation,” Subbotin stated.
Subbotin also mentioned that a special organization created by the game companies themselves could check games for destructive content. Upon finding such content, it would then forward the request to Roskomnadzor.
“We can take action upon detection or receipt of certain information from a trusted center. This could be a self-regulating organization — developers, distributors. They should, based on transparent labeling rules and with the participation of Roskomnadzor-accredited experts, review the entire array of games and decide if a game can reach users and with what labeling. It's an entire process that needs to be organized within the industry,” stated the Deputy Head of Roskomnadzor.