Mobile content to be strictly censored by wireless carriers

The major wireless carriers in the United States have started to impose strict decency standards on their mobile content providers, barring sexually explicit or graphic content, in an attempt to avoid customers and regulators criticism. CTIA-The Wireless Association already issued content guidelines back in November last year, but two of the largest carriers in the U.S. – Verizon and Cingular – have developed their own content standards.

According to Wall Street Journal, which reviewed both documents, Verizon Wireless has rather conservative rules. The rules cover all types of content, including text, music, pictures, video, audio, games, etc. They also include a thorough list of prohibited words, which consists of 83 specific entries and guidelines of how much bare skin can be shown. Along with these restrictions there's a ban on the"glorification or promotion of tobacco, alcohol or drug use” as well as on derogatory references to Verizon Wireless or any of its parent companies, Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC.

Cingular Wireless has also developed content standards of its own which like Verizon's ones go far beyond the FCC broadcast rules. Cingular's standards also cover prohibited words, including profanity, hate and violence speech; nude or partially nude and sexually graphic pictures as well as restrictions on video content. Furthermore, the carrier plans to introduce this summer a special restricted programming for children under the age of 12.

Source: Wall Street Journal