Wireless Carriers Urged To Control Mobile Porn

Wireless operators stand to profit from mobile adult content but the government will step in if they don't take significant steps to prevent minors from accessing that content, market research firm Yankee Group said Monday.

"How wireless carriers choose to respond to this growing industry concern will dictate the impact of their role with the government and within the industry," Adam Zawel, Yankee Group senior analyst, said in a statement. "With solid, strategic investment in self-regulation, wireless carriers can achieve dual benefit of protecting minors from adult content while safely profiting from the opportunity."

The market research firm said that wireless carriers must create a plan to regulate themselves on the issue of pornography. Specifically, they shouldn't offer adult content until they have a plan and technology in place, the study said.

In particular, the carriers should take a parental control approach similar to that used for home PCs, Yankee Group said.