In visual material, Roskomnadzor is described as addressing extremism, LGBT propaganda, rally calls, and similar content. A source within the Main Radio Frequency Center (FSUE GRCHTS) of Roskomnadzor is identified as acting for the project’s client side, supplying essential oversight context. The portrayal suggests a structured effort to classify and monitor messaging across media formats, with a clear line between policy-driven goals and technical execution. The tone points to a coordinated program that treats imagery and videography as data points in a broader regulatory framework.
The representative from the GRFC notes that the Oculus system has been launched and is performing its assigned duties. It was put through testing in December of the prior year, and there was mention that in January 2023 the system began integrating with Roskomnadzor’s existing monitoring tools, though specifics about how those integrations work were not disclosed. This indicates a phased rollout designed to fit within an existing ecosystem of surveillance technologies, with incremental adoption rather than a single, sweeping deployment. The integration approach is likely aimed at leveraging shared data streams, reporting channels, and analytic capabilities to enhance overall efficiency.
The description emphasizes that the Oculus platform is capable of recognizing images, symbols, and scenes deemed illegal, as well as analyzing text embedded in photos and video. Such capabilities imply a combination of visual recognition, optical character recognition, and contextual analysis that can interpret content in ways far beyond simple keyword filtering. The system appears to operate as a multi-modal tool, cross-referencing visual cues with textual signals to determine the nature and potential risk associated with a given piece of media.
Oculus is described as automatically detecting extremist themes, calls for mass illegality, self-harm content, illicit drug content, LGBT propaganda, and related materials on a daily basis. This suggests a continuous, automated surveillance regime that processes vast amounts of media to flag items that meet predefined risk criteria. The daily cadence underscores a commitment to constant monitoring and rapid triage, rather than sporadic reviews, with the aim of timely intervention when content breaches policy guidelines.
Looking ahead, the project plans for 2025 to extend Oculus with features that assess people’s positions and probable actions, alongside capabilities to identify new categories of breaches as they emerge. This forward-looking roadmap signals an intent to move from static content classification to dynamic threat assessment, incorporating evolving societal and regulatory expectations. The anticipated enhancements would enable more nuanced understanding of user intent and potential mobilization patterns as part of ongoing risk management efforts.
In August 2022, Kommersant reported that the GRFC was awarded a contract worth 57.7 million rubles to build the Oculus system. The publication attributed the system’s development to a company named Excursion RDC, positioning the project within a broader industrial and regulatory context. This financial detail highlights the scale of investment involved and the collaboration between government monitoring bodies and private sector partners in delivering advanced media analysis capabilities.