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Mobile Telephone Technology.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004

Thursday, 21 October 2004

Questions (93)

Mary Upton

Question:

80 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has written to mobile phone companies asking them to set out plans on the way in which they intend to safeguard children using the latest mobile telephone technology, especially in view of fears that children may be targeted by pornographers; the number of companies that have replied; when he expects the new procedures to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25646/04]

View answer

Written answers

I understand the Deputy's concern about this matter. Legislation already exists to tackle this problem and will of course apply to the latest mobile telephone technology, including 3G services. It is an offence under the section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951, as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, to send by phone any message or other matter, which is grossly offensive, or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. It is also an offence under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 to harass a person by use of a telephone. Anyone who has information about such matters should bring it immediately to the attention of the Garda Síochána for criminal investigation. Such offences are not the responsibility of ComReg.

My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is responsible for policy related to the protection of children from the transmission of pornographic images by telephones and other media.

Officials in my Department have already held discussions with the Irish Cellular Industry Association, ICIA, and ComReg on the feasibility of introducing a registration system for pre-paid mobile services. The principal aim of any such approach would be to enhance the traceability of origin of inappropriate content transmitted to vulnerable users. Consideration of the legal and technical issues surrounding this proposal will continue in consultation with all the interested parties. While fully supportive of the principle of protecting vulnerable users, the ICIA has indicated its preference for an alternative mechanism to deal with this problem and have agreed to revert to officials in my Department in this regard. I would be willing to consider any such proposal only if it could be guaranteed to provide an equally robust solution. In addition, the ICIA has voluntarily undertaken a series of measures, of which they keep me abreast. These include the development of filtering software and the establishment of an industry code of practice and a parental guide.

The code of practice establishes the standards that mobile operators will adhere to on the issues of parental controls for minors' access to mobile services; malicious or offensive person to person communications; unsolicited commercial communications-spam; Internet access and premium rate services The parental guide advises parents on gaining dual control of their child's mobile, recommends action that may be taken to prevent, or best protect their child from abuse of available services and details existing legislative protection. I fully support any such voluntary measures by the industry that seek to protect consumers, particularly the young and vulnerable and the industry has assured me that protection of young and vulnerable users is a mutual priority.

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