Oprano Adult Industry Forums - Aussie Government to Introduce Mobile Porn Laws

According to a Daily Telegraph report, Australia’s Federal Government has planned to introduce laws to protect children from the distribution of pornographic images via mobile phones. The regulations will include the prohibition of content rated x18+ and above, as well as requirements for age-restrictions on access to adult content. Strong sanctions are being implemented to back the sanctions, and criminal penalties will result for non-compliance.

“I will introduce to Parliament legislation to extend the current safeguards that apply to content delivered over the internet or television to content delivered over convergent devices,” said Communications Minister Helen Coonan.

About forty percent of mobiles phones sold in Australia are Internet-enabled, allowing for the download of clear images from either email or the Internet directly. Lower-end devices have access to their operator’s “walled garden” of content that includes songs, pictures, and ringtones.

“Parents should think about what age it’s appropriate to give their children mobile phones that are Internet-enabled,” said Rod Knockles, NetAlert corporate affairs adviser