ACMA To Review Restricted Access Systems for MA15+ and R18+ Content
Wednesday 25 June 2014 @ 12.49 p.m. | IP & Media
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is currently undertaking a review of the way in which access to MA15+ content and R18+ content is restricted on the internet.
Currently, the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth) requires all R18+ content and some MA15+ content to have some form of restricted access system in place to prevent under-age viewing. ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman said:
The review may identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs and administrative burdens on industry, consistent with the Government’s de-regulation agenda… Any deregulatory amendments must obviously be balanced against the enduring need to keep effective community safeguards for Australians accessing online content.
The current requirements for the system are contained in the Restricted Access Systems Declaration 2007. Due to the significant amount of change in the technology sector, the ACMA is calling for submissions from the industry and the public before it commences drafting a new version of the declaration.
The current requirements
As outlined in the discussion paper, the current system is:
For MA15+ content that is provided on a commercial basis, an access-control system must:
- require an application for access to the content; and
- require a declaration from the applicant that they are over 15 years of age; and
- provide warnings as to the nature of the content; and
- provide safety information for parents and guardians on how to control access to the content; and
- limit access to the content by the use of a PIN or some other means; and
- include relevant quality assurance measures.
For R18+ content, an access-control system must:
- require an application for access to the content; and
- require proof of age that the applicant is over 18 years of age; and
- include a risk analysis of the kind of proof of age submitted; and
- verify the proof of age by applying the risk analysis; and
- provide warnings as to the nature of the content; and
- provide safety information for parents and guardians on how to control access to the content; and
- limit access to the content by the use of a PIN or some other means; and
- include relevant quality assurance measures; and
- retain records of age verification for a period of two years after which the records are to be destroyed.
Submissions close at 5 pm on 8 July 2014. The ACMA is interested in a variety of issues, including new technologies that may be relevant, whether the current approach is effective and/or if there is a better approach, and the financial costs and impacts involved. For more information, please see the ACMA website.
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