The CEOs
made commitments in five areas on behalf of their respective companies and
subsidiaries:
1. Simple
and effective reporting tools
The CEOs
found that the application of simple and effective reporting tools would be
best to be used in the area of retroactively moderated storage and cloud
services that allow users to share content with each other (e.g. video sharing,
social network sites). It has to be ensured that in the frame of using these
services users agree with the Terms of Use that determines the kind of behavior
which is allowed and prohibited. In respect of the reporting tool's design the
companies’ idea was to place and easily recognizable button on the user
interface of all sites containing user content that can be pressed to
automatically report complaints to the responsible employees of the service
provider. The reporting interface of the button is designed in a way that
prevents making anonymous reports by the users who have to provide their email
address, at least. Upon receipt of the complaint the service provider has to
send an automatic reply to the sender containing information on the
investigation process, the relevant Terms of Use and the general timeframe of
conducting such investigations. Besides, all service providers taking part in the
self-regulation have to ensure the earliest possible investigation of
complaints with the application of effective internal processes.
2. Data
protection settings corresponding to the child's age
These data
protection settings were found important by the companies primarily in the area
of social networks. If the data protection settings are properly set users
under the age of 13 cannot register into social network sites and if the child,
upon unsuccessful registration, tries to register again with entering an older
age the system, with the help of cookies, ensures that the repeated
registration remains unsuccessful. Social network sites must ensure that in the
case of children (above the age of 13) it can be set which users may send posts
to the child's profile. As a default setting the service provider must ensure
that the entire data sheet of children can only be accessible to their friends.
Besides, the operator of social networks must ensure proper information for
minors so that they can make a conscious decision on their data protection
settings and be aware of the reporting button.
3. Broader
scope of using age limit restrictions for content
The broader
use of age limit restrictions for content was undertaken by the companies for
their own content as well as the content of their contracted partners. The
companies found it necessary to establish at least two content categories: the
first is suitable for all age groups but the second is only recommended for
adults (18+). In addition, the content can be further classified into other age
groups in accordance with the national legislation (e.g. 12+, 16+). However, it
is imperative that all kinds of pornography are classified as 18+ category.
4. Broder
control options for parents
In the case
of mobile and fixed line internet services the service providers undertook to
provide filtering software for free or at production cost to block adult
content from children while surfing on the internet. Besides, mobile operators
agrees to offer mobile packages with which users cannot access the internet nor
premium fee services. The service providers also undertook to popularize child
protection tools, among others, on the respective companies’ child protection
website and provide sufficient information on such tools together with their
own services in manuals, leaflets and other public disclosures.
5.
Effective removal of pedophile content
The
companies further agreed to insert a link into their child protection website
that points to to the INHOPE website. The websites of Hungarian subsidiaries
contain a link to the National Media and Info-Communications Authority’s
Internet Hotline. The companies undertook the commitment to ensure that
potential pedophile content is removed as soon as practicable with the use of
the “notice and take down” process and they expect the same from their
contracted partners, too. The results of the joint effort was presented by the
companies and the Commission on February 5, 2013 on the occasion of the Safer
Internet Day. We share the sincere hope that that this work makes Neelie Kroes’
words come true and with the help of these new commitments of the industry we
can make the internet a better place for our children.