FC: Microsoft, AOL, Yahoo endorse self-rating system at event today

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Tue Oct 23 2001 - 07:42:06 PDT

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    This self-rating idea was silly enough when it surfaced circa 1997,
    and most of us thought it died a natural death. But no, silly ideas in
    politics never do -- they devolve into trade associations instead.
    
    Now that the war against Afghanistan is under way, I started to wonder
    if whitehouse.gov, the Pentagon's websites, and news articles about
    the conflict (or the WTC body search) should be blocked under these
    ICRA categories:
       Material Setting Bad Example For Young Children
       Material That Might Disturb Young Children
       Promotion of Weapon Use
       Promotion of Harm Against People
    
    Yahoo is listed below as one of the ICRA chief sponsors. Yahoo also
    has a news area. Those pages are rated with ICRA/RSACi and listed 
    as "n 0 s 0 v 0" -- which I take to mean no nudity, sex, or violence.
    
    I went through the ICRA rating process myself
    (http://www.rsac.org/_en/register/en_p1.cfm) and rated a hypothetical
    news site that has been covering the WTC body search and the war in
    Afghanistan. I answered yes to these questions:
    
      Please indicate which of the following appears on your site, in
      images, portrayals or descriptions:
        Blood and gore, human beings
        Killing of human beings
        Deliberate injury to human beings
        Deliberate damage to objects
        appears in a context intended to be educational and is suitable for
        young children
      And:
        Promotion of weapon use
        Promotion of discrimination or harm against people
        Material that might be perceived as setting a bad example for young
        children
        Material that might disturb young children
    
    I received a rating of:
      Error Occurred While Processing Request
      [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Database 'ICRA_1' is
      already open and can only have one user at a time.
      SQL = "SELECT Country FROM Country WHERE Country_ID = 230"
    
    Ah, that can't be right. Guess ICRA was using Microsoft (another
    sponsor) products. I tried a few more times, and eventually the SQL
    server sufficiently recovered from its woes to spit out a rating
    of "n 0 s 0 v 4," which I take to mean no sex or nudity, but plenty of
    violence.
    
    Let's see. Yahoo has signed a legally binding contract
    (http://www.icra.org/_en/en_legal.html) that says its self-rating
    "must at all times reflect accurately the content it describes." Sure
    looks to me that Yahoo has not properly labeled. I wonder if ICRA --
    which as a trade association likely depends in part on Yahoo's
    financial contributions -- will threaten legal action if Yahoo doesn't
    rate its sites properly.
    
    -Declan
    
    PS: Background:
    http://www.politechbot.com/cgi-bin/politech.cgi?name=icra
    
    Links to documents from today's announcement:
    http://www.icra.org/press/p16.html
    
    *********
    
    http://www.itstrategies.com/icra/release.htm
       
       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
       October 23, 2001 CONTACT: 
       Katie Barron (202) 585.0230
       barronat_private
       
             Internet Industry Unveils Uniform Content Labeling System
              The Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) launches
                 North American Campaign to Protect Children Online
       
       Washington, DC - In an unparalleled display of public-private
       partnership, the three most trafficked Internet destinations AOL, MSN
       and Yahoo! have adopted the Internet Content Rating Association [ICRA]
       content labeling system with broad support from children's advocates
       and the First Amendment community. Launched today in North America and
       available globally, the free ICRA system allows content providers to
       identify and label their websites using neutral descriptors that
       empower parents from all cultures to filter Internet content based on
       their individual values. Content providers such as Playboy.com have
       also self-labeled their sites. Today, ICRA kicked off a campaign to
       urge others to join the effort.
       
       The ICRA labeling campaign showcases how private companies -
       particularly technology companies - are teaming up and working toward
       creating safe havens for children, while preserving the rights of free
       expression. This unprecedented gathering demonstrates new market
       trends to promote corporate responsibility and online safety.
       
       ICRA is a global non-profit organization of Internet industry leaders
       committed to making the Internet safer for children while respecting
       the rights of content providers.
       
       "Protecting children has always been one of AOL's highest priorities,
       which is why the AOL service includes some of the of the industry's
       strongest parental controls and why we're proud to support ICRA in its
       efforts," said Elizabeth Frazee, vice president of public policy for
       AOL Time Warner. "We think it's important for every web property -
       large and small - to use ICRA's system to help ensure children have
       safe and age-appropriate experience online, and we're pleased to stand
       behind that commitment by labeling our AOL sites. We commend ICRA for
       its ongoing efforts and look forward to continuing to work together to
       strengthen the online medium."
       
       "Creating safer places for children to use the Internet has long been
       a part of the overall experience Yahoo! provides, and working with the
       industry to develop the ICRA standard and labeling protocol is just
       the next step in our efforts. We are pleased to give Internet users a
       way to customize their experience and maintain their ability to have
       maximum choice in defining how they use the Web. As the Internet
       continues to grow and increasingly becomes an essential part of
       everyone's daily lives, it is important that we focus on providing
       tools for families, like the ICRA label, to create the best experience
       on the Web," said Srinija Srinivasan, vice president and editor in
       chief, Yahoo!.
       
       "Microsoft shares the goal of creating an online environment in which
       children can learn, explore, and have fun without exposure to the many
       things that can harm them. We first integrated the ICRA system in
       Internet Explorer in 1996, and we remain committed to providing the
       child safety services and tools that parents demand," said Bill
       Guidera, federal government affairs associate.
       
       The ICRA labeling system offers content providers an online
       questionnaire to help define and describe the content available on
       their site. ICRA then generates a content label (a meta tag) that the
       author adds to his or her site. Users can then set-up their Internet
       browser or compatible filtering software to allow or disallow access
       to websites based on the information declared in the label and the
       subjective preferences of the user.
       
       "Labeling and filtering of Internet content that is truly voluntary is
       an approach that empowers parents and respects our fundamental
       commitment to free expression," said Bob Corn-Revere, noted First
       Amendment attorney for Hogan and Hartson in Washington, DC.
       
       "The magnitude and level of support from all of our members and
       invited guests is stunning," said Mary Lou Kenny, director of North
       America. "The overwhelming response demonstrates the value of a
       voluntary self-labeling system that is about choice - not censorship -
       on the Internet. ICRA is a win/win solution. Content providers sustain
       the integrity of their websites and parents make choices for their
       children. The strength of these otherwise disparate groups coming
       together will forever change the perception of online protection for
       children."
       
       For more information go to: www.icra.org.
       
                                        ###
       
    
    http://www.itstrategies.com/icra/faq.htm
    
                          ICRA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
       
       What is ICRA? 
       The Internet Content Rating Association is a global non-profit
       organization of Internet industry leaders committed to making the
       Internet safer for children while respecting the rights of content
       providers. The ICRA system allows content providers to identify and
       label their websites using neutral descriptors that empower parents
       from all cultures to filter Internet content based on their individual
       values.
       
       The ICRA content labeling system builds on the pre-existing RSACi
       system and is the result of an extensive international consultation
       exercise involving senior industry figures and academics.
       
       What is RSACi? 
       The initials stand for The Recreational Software Advisory Council on
       the Internet. The RSACi message was to empower the public, especially
       parents, to make informed decisions about electronic media through
       labeling of video games and later, web sites.
       
       The RSACi system provided consumers with information about the level
       of sex, nudity, violence, offensive language (vulgar or
       hate-motivated) in software games and websites. The RSACi system was
       integrated into Microsoft's Internet Explorer, MicroSystem's Cyber
       Patrol Software and Netscape Navigator.
       
       RSACi was formally folded into ICRA in the spring of 1999 and its
       system was launched with ICRA in December 2000. The new ICRA system is
       compatible with RSACi.
       
       What exactly does ICRA do?
       ICRA labels websites, for viewer discretion. ICRA does not rate
       Internet content. Content providers do that, using the ICRA system.
       ICRA makes no value judgments about which sites are suitable for
       children. Parents and other concerned adults do that using the tools
       available to them from ICRA.
       
       What is the basic procedure?
       Content providers fill out an online questionnaire describing the
       content of their site, in terms of what is and is not present. ICRA
       then generates a content label (a meta tag) that the author adds to
       his/her site. Users can then set their Internet browser or filter to
       allow or disallow access to content based on the information declared
       in the label and the subjective preferences of the user.
       
       THE BASICS
         * Parents set filtering preferences or categories in content
           controls in their browser or filter;
           
         * The browser/filter reads the label and compares it to the user has
           chosen as their settings;
           
         * The label identifies whether the site contains content that does
           not match user settings;
           
         * If the site is blocked, a dialogue box appears on the user's
           screen advising that the site has been blocked.
           
       It is free to rate and free to filter with the ICRA system?
       Yes, it is free to parents and those that label. ICRA is a non-profit
       organization and sustains itself through membership.
       
       What are the filtering categories?
       
       Topics Covered: 
       Language used on the site
       Chat
       Nudity and sexual content
       Violence
       Gambling
       Drugs, tobacco, alcohol
       ....and others
       
       Context variables are included to distinguish sites that have
       educational, artistic, or medical content.
       
       What is a filtering template?
       A template is a set of pre-configured options that reduce the need for
       user decision points and reflects the values of the template provider.
       A quick and easy route to filtering based on the ICRA Descriptors -
       which include some, but not all of the following:
       
       Crude Words or Profanity
       Male Genitals
       Female Genitals
       Material Setting Bad Example For Young Children
       Material That Might Disturb Young Children
       Blood & Gore, Animals
       Blood & Gore, Fantasy Animals
       Obscured or Implied Sexual Acts
       Promotion of Tobacco Use
       Promotion of Alcohol Use
       Promotion of drug Use
       Gambling
       Promotion of Weapon Use
       Promotion of Harm Against People
       These descriptors express the values of the template provider.
       Templates may also include block and allow lists of web sites, which
       may be encrypted.
       
       How do I use the ICRA system in my browser? 
       When released in spring 2002, the ICRAfilter will work on all versions
       of Windows from '95 upward and operates independently of any browser.
       The ICRA filter will also support "allow" and "disallow" lists. In
       addition to a user's self-created allow and disallow list, lists from
       third parties can be downloaded and utilized.
       
       The number of applications available to filter Internet content using
       ICRA's labels is growing. The most widely used of these today is
       Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
       
       What will stop an adult site from completing the questionnaire in a
       way that indicates no nudity is on the site?
       Before a web master receives his/her meta tag, they must accept the
       terms and conditions of the system. Ultimately, these would empower
       ICRA to take legal action and to publicize the errant site. However,
       adult sites are ICRA's strongest supporters. It is ICRA's experience
       that when a content provider chooses to self-label its site; it is
       done in an honest and objective manner. Adult content sites don't want
       kids visiting their sites. Children have no legitimate purchasing
       power; visits would clog bandwidth, and expose children to
       inappropriate material and would invite government regulation.
       
       How do you enforce the sanctity of the label? 
       Automated checks are made that the label held in the database is
       present on the relevant site. If it's not, ICRA makes contact with the
       web master - usually to offer help and advice. If a site is mislabeled
       (an extremely rare event) then further steps can be taken (see
       above).
       
       What if a site deals with the illegal use of the Internet?
       ICRA only deals with legal speech and therefore does not deal with
       anything that requires law enforcement.
       
       Isn't it easier for government to regulate the Internet?
       Government need not regulate Internet content because industry is
       taking a leadership role in offering parents tools to protect their
       children from material they deem inappropriate. The Internet is a
       global medium; therefore, what one government ascribes to doesn't
       carry any force elsewhere on the World Wide Web.
       
       How prevalent is the Internet on US teenagers' lives?
       73% of U.S. teens (age 12-17) are using the Internet
       84% of teens surf the Web for fun versus 63% of adults
       92% of teens communicate through email
       55% visit a chat room and almost 74% send instant messages
       Pew Internet & American Life Project -- June 20, 2001
       
       What is the Number One Concern of Internet Users?
       Child Pornography leads the pack with 50% of Internet users concerned
       Pew Internet & American Life Project -- June 20, 2001
       
       ICRA cares about online child protection. What is the Children's
       Online Privacy Protection Rule? 
       Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
       in October 1998, with a requirement that the Federal Trade Commission
       (FTC) issue and enforce rules concerning children's online privacy.
       The primary goal of the Act and the Rule is to place parents in
       control over what information is collected from their children online.
       The Rule was designed to be strong, yet flexible, to protect children
       while recognizing the dynamic nature of the Internet.
       
       The COPPA Rule applies to operators of commercial websites and online
       services directed to children under 13 that collect personal
       information from children, and operators of general audience sites
       with actual knowledge that they are collecting information from
       children under 13.
       
       Those operators must:
       (1) post clear and comprehensive Privacy Policies on the website
       describing their information practices for children's personal
       information;
       (2) provide notice to parents, and with limited exceptions, obtain
       verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information
       from children;
       (3) give parents the choice to consent to the operator's collection
       and use of a child's information while prohibiting the operator from
       disclosing that information to third parties;
       (4) provide parents access to their child's personal information for
       review and/or have it deleted;
       (5) give parents the opportunity to prevent further collection or use
       of the information;
       (6) maintain the confidentiality, security and integrity of
       information they collect from children.
       In addition, the Rule prohibits operators from conditioning a child's
       participation in an online activity on the child's providing more
       information than is reasonably necessary to participate in that
       activity.
    
    
    
    
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