As part of its philosophy aimed at keeping corporate social responsibility within the company’s vision and operations, Go Mobile has launched a Mobile Usage Policy. The aim of this policy document is to promote responsible and secure usage of electronic communications.

The Mobile Usage Policy, which can be viewed on Go Mobile’s website under the section “About Us”, is an initiative taken voluntarily by Go Mobile. In fact, Go Mobile is one of the first mobile operators in Europe to launch such a policy.

The initial statement of the document reads: “Go Mobile believes that electronic communications services should be used responsibly and securely, otherwise they might end up hindering potential for growth and consumer welfare of electronic communications, e commerce and m commerce. Go Mobile has developed this Code of Practice for application in the electronic communications market.”

The policy document focuses on four main areas: parental controls regarding minors’ access to mobile services, malicious or offensive person-to-person communications, unsolicited commercial communications (spam), and Internet access.

As regards parental controls, Go Mobile shall continue to carry out measures that will give parents greater visibility of their child’s mobile phone usage and the services they access. A child is considered to be a minor of less than 18 years of age, unless lawfully emancipated. Account information is only available for post-paid customers and registered pre-paid customers, and in conformity with obligations at law.

In the case of malicious or offensive communication, Go Mobile’s Usage Policy states that its reporting procedures for such cases will be more readily available to its customers. Go Mobile advises and encourages customers who have received any malicious or offensive communication to forward their complaint to the police for investigation, and the company pledges to co-operate fully with the police in investigating and prosecuting offences.

With regard to Internet access, Go Mobile states that it has no control over the content or services accessed by mobile phone users through open access to the Internet.

On the spam issue, Go Mobile said it does not accept spam traffic and evidence of a client sending such messages will result in the immediate suspension of the service. The concept promoted in the document is that any electronic communication should be sent with the mobile subscriber having given prior consent for such communication.

For more information on the Mobile Usage Policy, visit www.go.com.mt