A new U.K. regulatory body has been launched to oversee the self-classification of Adult commercial content on mobile phones. All U.K. mobile phone operators are supporting the body, including O2, Orange, TMobile, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone, and 3.
A subsidiary of premium rate regulator ICSTIS, the Independent Mobile Classification Body (IMCB), will primarily act to police classification through preparing a framework in which providers of content to mobile subscribers will self-classify.
The body will subsequently investigate complaints about content providers not classifying content legally. The work will be carried out and funded entirely separately from ICSTIS’s role as the regulator of premium rate services.
Paul Whiteing, project director for the IMCB, said, "Mobile phones with enhanced features, such as video-playing capabilities and picture messaging, are becoming increasingly available. These features give access to an exciting world of content-rich entertainment and information, but we need to recognize that this new world also presents challenges – especially when it comes to protecting children. I’m confident that ICSTIS can bring to bear its 18 years of experience in the premium rate sector on this new initiative to protect children.”
The framework will be based on comparable standards in other media, such as film and computer games, and the first draft is scheduled for publication on January 1, 2005.
"It is hoped that the funding will be sufficient to provide enough resources so that classification is an efficient and smooth process," said Craig Barrack, Founder of Mobile Networking. Vodafone U.K. is the only operator to have implemented content control so far with others expected to follow shortly in time for the end of the year deadline agreed between the U.K. operators.
The U.K. is the only European country so far to develop such a code.
