Why can't we just ban it?
Caitlin on Sept. 21, 2026
Can the Classification Office ban apps, technology, or AI tools if they pose a risk of harmful content?
Every time a new technology makes headlines, we hear a familiar question: “Can the Classification Office ban it?”
It’s a fair question, especially when new technologies can be used to create or share harmful content.
We need a publication before we can classify something
Under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 (the Act), the Classification Office can only classify something if it is a “publication”. Publications can include things like videos, images, written material and games. We assess publications against the legal criteria in the Act.
The Act does not provide the Classification Office, or any other body, with the power to ban a website, app, AI tool, software platform or piece of technology just because it can be used to create or share content. This means we can't use the classification system to ban a technology that can create objectionable content, unless the technology falls within the definition of a publication.
Even if we can’t classify the technology itself, the technology often produces publication that could be classified.
You can read more about what we classify.
That doesn't mean technology can't be regulated
Classifying publications is one way of addressing potential harm caused by technologies. Other existing laws around privacy, harassment, and harmful digital communications also apply.
There are different regulatory responses that can be used to address technologies, platforms and tools themselves. Some countries and jurisdictions are already considering or introducing rules that place responsibilities or restrictions on technologies because of the risks they may create.
What about AI-generated content?
AI does not create a loophole in New Zealand's classification law.
If an AI-generated publication meets the legal threshold for objectionable content, it can be classified in the same way as other content. It does not matter whether the content was created by a person, an AI chatbot, an image generator or another technology.
You can read more about AI-generated content and the law.
The technology may be new, but the legal tests are the same.
The criteria in the Act applies to content regardless of how it was created. Our role is to help New Zealanders understand where the legal line is.
We can assess complaints about potentially illegal content, classify publications from law enforcement or members of the public, and provide information about emerging content and the risks it can present.
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