Based on an article from
AVN
As video programming becomes widely available for cell phones, major U.S.
wireless carriers are quietly setting strict decency standards for their content
partners in an effort to stave off criticism from nutters and regulators. Many
of the rules go far beyond those set by federal regulators for television and
radio.
The rules, which bar sexually explicit or graphic content, have sparked concern
among media providers. Some have already been forced to alter or remove hip-hop
ringtones, video clips or other material that wireless operators considered
offensive. The wireless industry trade group, CTIA-The Wireless Association,
issued broad content guidelines in November, but largely left it to the carriers
to implement their own policies.
The Verizon Wireless standards were described in a document provided by a person
in the wireless industry. Verizon Wireless declined to comment on the document
but confirmed it has "very specific" content rules. According to the document,
the Verizon Wireless rules cover all content, text, music, pictures, video,
audio, games.
The guidelines divide visual images of women into several categories, describing
what is acceptable. For example, in the "Lingerie" category, prohibited visuals
include "nipple shadow" and "see-through underwear." For the category of "Medium
Shot Rear Nude -- Female," the rules allow "a full rear view but not with legs
up or apart." As for men, the guidelines admonish that a "penis must not appear
erect underneath clothing."
A list of prohibited words is even more exhaustive, with 83 specific entries. It
covers body parts as well as a number of terms describing sexual intercourse.
The creators of the standards also banned any combinations of these words or
alternate spellings, and they reserved the right to update the document
regularly. There are also several general categories of banned content, such as
"glorification or promotion of tobacco, alcohol or drug use."
Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeffrey Nelson says the standards are intended to
protect customers from offensive content and protect Verizon Wireless's brand
image.
Verizon Wireless's rules are a far cry from the anything-goes Internet, where
attempts at speech restrictions have run into constitutional challenges, and
there is a risk that they could backfire, alienating teen and other customers
looking for edgy content. Verizon Wireless is betting that its strict controls
will put parents, who usually pay their kids' cellphone bills, and other
customers at ease using its data and media services. Such usage currently
accounts for about 10% of U.S. carriers' revenue.
Cingular Wireless, a joint venture of AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp., has also
issued guidelines for content, generally barring profanity, nudity, sexually
graphic images, violence and hate speech. In addition, the company is developing
restricted programming for children under the age of 12 that will be introduced
this summer.
According to a document used to brief Cingular's content partners in March, the
Cingular Safe filter won't allow music with parental advisory labels, or
ringtones that aren't based on radio-edited versions of songs. A list of
"restricted" words runs the gamut from explicit body-part references to the
words "condom" and "lesbian." Images "depicting or insinuating nudity or partial
nudity," including photos from Maxim and Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue,
would be restricted. In the video space, Cingular Safe would generally allow
movie content that is rated "G" or "PG" and TV content that is rated "G,"
"TV-Y," "TV-Y7," and "PG."
The Federal Communications Commission has authority under federal law to police
indecent content on broadcast TV and radio on the theory that the public
airwaves should be looked after in the public interest. The agency's broad
standard bars obscene material at all times and material depicting "sexual or
excretory" organs or activities during hours that children are likely to be
viewing.
Major media entertainment companies already have to comply with FCC standards
and the internal standards of the major television networks. The wireless world
adds a new layer of complexity. There are some instances where content that
would be permissible on television, a scantily clad woman in a bikini, for
example, might not pass muster with some of the cellular carriers, people in the
media industry say.
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