The ACMA has approved the Internet Industry Association’s new Content Services Code. It was required because of changes made to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 last year. The biggest of those changes was probably the new prohibition on MA15+ content delivered via Internet or a mobile services, unless it was subject to appropriate access restrictions. All of it in the name of protecting children.

Take into account just how much material can be considered MA15+ and that the new restrictions continued to only deal with Aussie hosted content, it’s no wonder that a damn good percentage of Australian’s remain hosted overseas. A real economic impact for bugger all benefit.

The IIA code catches those new MA15+ requirements and states that all content likely to be MA15+ or above must be assessed and classified by trained content assessors. Complaints handling and take down notices are also included in the code.

Anything of value? The section relating to online safety has a number of good recommendations for content service providers to follow.

Here’s the ACMA PR:

‘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,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

The code says that all content likely to be MA15+ or above must be assessed and classified by trained content assessors, hired by providers of online and mobile content. By requiring content classification assessment, this code assists both children and their parents to make informed choices about what is, or is not, suitable for viewing online or on mobile phones.

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The new regulatory framework introduces measures to protect the safety of children when using online and mobile content services.

Read the IIA Content Services Code here (PDF).