| 22nd February
- Pannon, T-Mobile and Vodafone signed a common, self-regulating code of ethics
to make mobile usage of early teens and children safer. Signing the document was
preceeded by almost half a year joint preparation which in Hungary was coordinated
by Vodafone. The use of mobile telephones is widespread by now and ever
more children and young teens have mobile phones also in Hungary. Terminals enjoying
the highest popularity among youth are capable of using multimedia services and
downloading versatile contents. Content primarily targeting adult audience is
also available to children ñ the importance of this problem and the need
to work out efficient solutions is paid special attention to both in Hungary and
abroad. Based on the recently signed code on self regulation all three mobile
operators agree that protecting young users bears special importance. Therefore
the companies grant their support to controlling access to adult content, creating
campaigns, fighting illegal content reaching users through mobile phones and they
provide for means to classify commercial content in a transparent way. The companies
started the preparation of the code of ethics already last year, however the document
was only signed now as details needed to be finalised. The three operators will
review the code annually and they may amend it if necessary. Mobile operators
jointly with content providers have also established the code of ethics concerning
premium rate services already in 2007, with the primary objective of providing
accurate, comprehensive and correct information on such services and putting in
place a unified regulation scheme. Preceding the establishment of the Hungarian
code of ethics promoting safer mobile use, in February 2007 the leading European
mobile operators signed their own code - the European Frame Agreement - on protecting
young mobile users. The Deutsche Telekom Group, Telenor and Vodafone Limited -
the mother companies of the three Hungarian operators - were also signatories
to the frame agreement. Early this week the international association of mobile
operators (GSMA) launched another initiative to protect children in cooperation
with large global operators. Back
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