US trade body rolls out program across six storefronts.
The widely reporting initiative was formally unveiled in Washington yesterday, extending the CTIA’s 2010 Guidelines for Application Content Classification and Ratings scheme, which it closely mirrors. Thus there are seven classifications,
The scheme is backed by AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Microsoft. Each rated app will get a certificate and a unique identifying code that can be used with other app stores.
Here's how the CRIA describes the process:
"When developers submit their apps to a participating storefront they will be able to complete a detailed yet quick multiple choice questionnaire that is designed to assess an app’s content and context with respect to its age-appropriateness.
"This includes violence or sexual content, language, substances, etc., as well as other elements such as a minimum age requirement, the exchange of user-generated content, the sharing of a user’s location with other users of the application and the sharing of user-provided personal information with third parties.
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"Once developers complete all answers to these questions, their applications are rated within seconds."
As reported yesterday, Apple and Google have not pledged direct support.
Here are the ratings groups:
* Early Childhood
Suitable for ages three and older and contain no material that parents would find inappropriate.
* Everyone
For ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and infrequent use of mild language.
* Everyone 10+
Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and minimal suggestive themes.
* Teen
Ages 13 and older. Titles may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
* Mature
Suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
* Adults Only
18 years and older. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
* Rating Pending
Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating.
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