Self-regulation of content
on mobiles
In January 2004, the UK mobile operators published a code of practice for
the self-regulation of new forms of content on mobiles.
Download
a PDF version of the Code
In accordance with the code, commercial content that is sold through a mobile phone (such as a video clip) has to be self-classified by the content provider. Content that is classified as 18 is only made available to customers that, through age verification, have demonstrated to the mobile operator that they are at least 18 years old.
The content provider classifies content as either 18 or 'not classified' in accordance with a framework prepared by the Independent Mobile Classification Body ("IMCB").
If a customer is not satisfied with the way a piece of content has been classified, he or she should first take the issue up with his or her mobile operator. A customer can only take a complaint to the IMCB once the issue has been investigated by the mobile operator.
Self-regulatory Code for the responsible selling of mobile telephony
In July 2007 the UK mobile operators published a self regulatory code for the responsible selling of mobile telephony.
The mobile market in the UK is very competitive. In general this is of great benefit to customers. However, it is also necessary to guard against the risk of customers being misled during the sales process.
The mobile operators have published this code to emphasise that they are working closely with the resellers to ensure that the process of selling mobile handsets and airtime is conducted fairly and that all resellers are working to the high standards that customers have the right to expect.
Download
a version
of the Code
Location
services
In September 2004, an industry working group, led by the MBG, published a
Code of Practice for the use of mobile phone technology for passive location
services in the UK.
Download
a PDF version of the Code summary
Download
a PDF version of full Code (updated on 1st October 2006)
Illegal Content
All members of the MBG are subscribers to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
The IWF is the only authorised organisation in the UK which provides an Internet hotline for the public to report instances of potentially illegal content on-line.
The IWF work in partnership with the UK Internet Industry, police services and government departments such as the Home Office and the Department of Trade and Industry to influence initiatives and programmes developed to combat online abuse.
Through the hotline reporting system, the IWF helps service providers to combat abuse of their services by operating a notice and take down service which alerts them to any illegal content found on their system. Any relevant information is also reported to the police.
Mobile users with WAP enabled phones can submit reports to the hotline at:
Mobile
phones and health
The five mobile network operators fund the Mobile Operators Association, which
represents the operators on radio frequency health and planning issues in
the UK. www.mobilemastinfo.com
Street crime
The mobile network operators participate in Micaf, an organisation set up
by the mobile industry to tackle the issue of mobile phone theft. www.micaf.co.uk
