Taiwan intends to impose an Internet content ratings system similar to movie ratings starting in late October 2005, the Government Information Office has announced.
Officials said the system doesn't mean they plan to claim a piece of the Criminal Investigation Bureau's responsibility for fighting Internet crime, but that they want an Internet ratings foundation to put in measures to help parents alarmed by violent or profane online content, "and protecting against those who prey on the underaged or instigate pack suicides," according to reports in the island country's press.
The latter reference alludes to a series of suicides in Japan that began to be reported toward summer's end and are believed to have been instigated or abetted by Internet sites and activities.
The Taiwanese GIO said Internet content under the coming ratings system would likely fall under four categories, general, protection (barred from children under six years old), PG18 (barred from those under 12 years old, with those 12-18 requiring parental or guardianship accompaniment), and restricted (adults only).
The government intends for city and county governments to enforce the ratings, though it isn't yet determined exactly what kind of content beyond porn and violent content might be considered adults only or acceptable for kids joined by their parents.
The government may also fine Internet service providers and content providers alike in six figures and order their suspension from operations, if they fail to grade their information under the guidelines of the coming ratings system, the CIO said.
