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Android Market gets content ratings for games and apps

It seems Google is starting to put it’s foot down when it comes to the Android Market. And apparently they haven’t finished laying down the law with finally requiring high resolution screenshots of all games and applications added to the store. They’ve gone one step further in a recent announcement and now will mandate content ratings of everything on the store.

Apparently, Google is working to address some of the issues we have with the current Android Market; which, ironically has poor search capabilities. The new content ratings will presumably be added to the search functionality and are mandated for all new apps. Developers failing to comply will have their applications marked ‘mature’ regardless of content. From the looks of it we might be seeing some new parental control features and locks for content on the Market in Gingerbread, coming in the next few weeks or Honeycomb, coming early 2011 to tablets near you.

The new rules:

  • Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs: Apps that include references to drugs, alcohol or tobacco products or their use should be rated “Teen” or above. Apps that focus on the consumption or sale of drugs, alcohol or tobacco should be rated “Mature”. Illegal activity or content that is targeted at minors is not allowed in Android Market.
  • Gambling: Apps with gambling themes or that include simulated gambling should be rated “Teen” or above. Real gambling is not allowed in Android Market.
  • Hate: Hate speech is not allowed in Android Market. If your app includes inflammatory content that may be offensive to many users, please rate it “Teen” or above.
  • Location: Applications rated “All” should not ask users for their location at any point. Apps that ask to access course or fine location data should be rated “Pre-Teen” or above. Apps that enable users to publish or share their location with others should be rated “Teen” or above.
  • Profanity and Crude Humor: Apps that include profanity or crude humor should be rated “Teen” or above.
  • Sexual and Suggestive Content: Apps that include suggestive or sexual references should be rated “Teen” or above. Apps that focus on such content should be rated “Mature”. Pornography is not allowed in Android Market.
  • User Generated Content and User to User Communication: Apps rated “All” should not host any user generated content or enable communication between users. Apps that focus on allowing users to find and communicate with each other should be rated “Teen” or above.
  • Violence: Apps that include mild cartoon or fantasy violence should be rated “Pre-Teen” or above. Realistic or intense fantasy violence should be rated “Teen” or above. Graphic violence should be rated ‘“Mature”. Gratuitous real violence is not allowed in Android Market.

Website Referenced: Google

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