CTIA developing mobile content ratings

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association is developing a mobile content rating and filtering system that it will apply to all multimedia available via wireless networks.

According to CTIA, the rating system is a response to the growing number of adult entertainment companies now entering the wireless content market. "The adult side of things has really kick-started it," said Mark Desautels, CTIA vice president of wireless Internet development, in an interview with Reuters. "As indecency becomes an increasing point of interest on the part of policy-makers, we really need to be proactive about it."

CTIA will work with the Recording Industry Association of America and its affiliated record labels to develop the system, and will also collaborate with ratings bodies like the Motion Picture Association of America and the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

CTIA will reportedly debut its rating system by midyear, with the first phase of the trade group's ratings effort identifying content inappropriate for users under 18.