Israel's Communications Ministry has amended licenses for mobile phone operators to restrict access to pornographic services following complaints that too many children were exposed to erotic material. The ministry said Sunday in a statement that it will restrict the transmission of porn through video clips and movies on cell phones that use high-speed third-generation networks.
Adults would still be allowed to access the services by entering a code and only after being identified as an adult, the ministry said.
Communications Minister Ehud Olmert said he wanted to expand the restrictions to long-distance telecommunications providers.
Israel has four mobile phone operators: Cellcom, Partner, Pelephone and Mirs. The latter is part-owned by Motorola.
The operators combined have nearly 7 million Israeli subscribers--many of them children and teenagers.
Olmert decided to take action after receiving complaints about the exposure of minors to erotic and pornographic material, and following hearings with the mobile providers.
Story Copyright © 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
