Google implements new ratings system for Android Market

Google has announced a new ratings system for its Android Market, which all developers must comply with.

In what looks to be a self-rating system for developers, the company has provided guidelines about what constitutes All, Pre-Teen, Teen, and Mature apps. Developers who fail to comply with this new system will automatically be marked as Mature.

Presumably this new system will feed into the Android Market’s currently woeful search system, allowing users to filter out less salubrious content.

Despite this new categorisation, it seems that pornographic content will still only be removed from the Market on the basis of user complaints.

The new Google guidelines are as follows:

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 Humour

Apps that include profanity or crude humour 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.