A Code Of Conduct For Electronic Content Provision between Vodafone Malta and GO, as electronic communications service providers, has been drawn up to safeguard minors in the local community due to the increasing number of new electronic communications devices with enhanced features that are being made available on the market. The code aims to restrict access to certain content while striving to increase parental awareness of this new reality.

Both companies recognise their role and responsibility in providing electronic communications services but they also emphasise the importance of parents, guardians and other people in the education of

children on how to use such services and in exercising effective controls to reduce abuse.

Both companies also stress that for these measures to be effective, national policy makers and public authorities must play an active role in improving access to electronic media literacy and the safe use of electronic communications services.

This code of conduct provides both companies with a platform through which to mitigate illegal and/or unsolicited communications.

A framework for classifying commercial content that is unsuitable for people aged 18 and under has been designed in line with standards used in other media. The companies will do their utmost to ensure that content provided by recognised third parties is classified in a way that indicates whether or not it is suitable for minors.

At present, neither company offers any content unsuitable for minors (under 18) in their walled garden environment.

Through this initiative, both companies intend to take all appropriate measures within their capability against unsolicited spam communications, including text, picture and multimedia messages and emails, since technology and its accessibility is evolving at such a fast pace.

This Code of Conduct is available on the companies’ respective website.