May 1, 2026

Russia Has Begun Mass Lawsuits Against Foreign Computer Game Developers

Over the past five months, at least eight protocols for violations during the collection of personal data have been filed in Russian courts against major foreign computer game developers. All cases were initiated by Roskomnadzor. "Verstka" drew attention to this. Who has already been fined. Companies Take Two (games GTA, Read Dead Redemption, etc.), Electronic Arts (Need for Speed, Battlefield, etc.), and Battlestate Games (Escape from Tarkov) were fined two million rubles each. What they are being fined for. The ruling against Battlestate Games states that the company collected personal information of Russian citizens without ensuring its storage and processing on servers located in Russia. Against whom else cases have been initiated. Administrative penalties were also imposed on the Chinese game developer NetEase Interactive (Marvel Rivals). In addition, the company "Lesta" ("World of Tanks") received a warning under the article on violations during the collection of personal data. In the near future, courts will consider protocols against companies Epic Games (Fortnite, Gears of War), Digital Extremes (Warframe), and Embracer Group (Tomb Raider, Deus Ex). Rental certificates for games. Earlier, the head of the State Duma Committee for the Development of Civil Society, Yana Lantratova, proposed introducing rental certificates for video games by analogy with cinema. The Association of Professionals of the Game Operation and Development Industry stated that if certificates were introduced, foreign developers would abandon the Russian audience.