PERTH, Australia - Websites in Australia will soon be evaluated under a new rating system developed by the Internet Industry Association, a group that represents a number of content providers in that country.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has approved what it's referring to as the "Content Services Code" for Internet content, as well as material accessible from mobile devices.
According to the ACMA, any content that is likely to be rated MA15+ (for mature audiences over the age of 15) must be assessed and classified by "trained content assessors."
As part of the code, ISPs will use access controls to provide content that is rated MA15+ or R18+ (restricted to those over 18).
"The code is the result of collaboration across a wide cross-section of industry and ACMA is encouraged by the code's recognition that content regulation must be approached from the perspective of convergence between the two major platforms for delivery of online content, the Internet and mobile phones," ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman said in a statement.
The code only applies to content originating in Australia; members of the IIA are obligated to follow the rating system, but sites and content originating elsewhere are not.
