WASPA takes action to protect SA subscribers from illegal mobile content from offshore.

Vodacom, MTN and Cell-C have blocked local cellular subscribers from accessing the offshore wireless application protocol (WAP) site, www.waptrick.com, after the Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) brought illegal pornographic content on the service to their attention.

WASPA was able to quickly identify and take action against the site, thanks to its decision to create an independent Media Monitor to proactively watch over the industry. The Media Monitor detected a range of illegal pornographic and pirated content available on the site during regular testing of WAP sites and alerted the network operators, the police and the Films and Publications Control Board (FPB) to prevent children from accessing this content.

The site provides this pornographic material for free alongside the free games and music downloads that it offers. The site is popular among children and young teenagers because of the free music downloads that it offers. Most of the copyrighted material on Waptrick is provided for free without the permission of the copyright owners, and the site generates revenue from advertising. There is no public record of who owns the site.

“Our aim is to promote the interests of legitimate WASPs and to protect consumers from harmful content and business practices. Even though the service provider responsible for this site is not based in South Africa, we felt that it was important to take action in the interests of consumers and our members,” said WASPA chairman, Leon Perlman.

“We are pleased with the prompt response we received from the network operators and promise to keep working closely with our industry partners to keep our mobile networks free of illegal pornographic material. Children form a significant part of the cellular subscriber base and they must be protected from this sort of content.”

Once WASPA’s Media Monitor has brought illegal content to the association’s attention, WASPA will embark upon an investigation and alert the relevant authorities and the network operators so that the content can be blocked and the offending content providers prosecuted.

WASPA’s own members have to adhere to the WASPA Code of Conduct, which outlines in detail how the organisation’s members should conduct themselves in their interactions with the public. It covers issues such as spam (unsolicited communications), subscription services, advertising and pricing, competition, complaint resolution and adult services. The Code of Conduct outlines a complaints procedure for members of the public who believe that a member of WASPA is violating the Code of Conduct.