Nokia join Internet Watch Foundation
The IWF is delighted that Nokia, one of the world leaders in mobile communications, has joined as a funding member.
As mobile internet advances, there are constant developments in the technology available to facilitate exchange of information and images. In line with these developments, issues around potential abuse of systems and products have broadened.
Alongside the benefits of mobile internet services and products, such as camera phones, lie possible risks around the creating and sharing of potentially illegal images.
The IWF has been working in partnership with the Mobile Operators for some time and contributed toward a ‘Code of Practice’ around mobile internet content, with Nokia being the second mobile manufacturer to join the IWF.
Peter Robbins, CEO, IWF:
“We are discovering that it’s not just the companies who provide the actual internet hosting service or content who want to work in partnership with the IWF, but also those organisations which may provide products or 3rd party services which facilitate access to and use of the internet, fixed and mobile. None of these companies want to be associated with potentially illegal content and we applaud that and gladly welcome Nokia as a member.”
Corporate Social Responsibility is a key strategic consideration for many organisations.
It reflects the importance of decisions made, regarding operational practices & policies that can impact the environment around them.
Considering implications of such responsibility is extremely important for companies which have the ability to be a driving force in communications across the globe.
Potentially illegal content online could most definitely impact a consumers’ environment and their faith in internet services; fixed and mobile.
Mark Squires, Head of Communications, Nokia, UK
“Sound company ethics makes business sense. As market leader and a global company, Nokia takes its responsibilities seriously. We want our customers to feel safe when using our products and reassured that we have a responsible attitude towards something as serious as potentially illegal internet content being exchanged using our handsets.”
As the number of people using the internet and the diversity of content available continues to grow, the mechanisms of dealing with potentially illegal content must be better known and understood.
In partnership with many organisations, the IWF strives to create continued awareness of the role and purpose of the IWF UK internet hotline and looks to foster trust and reassurance in the internet for current and future users.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia is dedicated to enhancing people's lives and productivity by providing easy-to-use and secure products like mobile phones, and solutions for imaging, games, media, mobile network operators and businesses. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges.
For more information see:
Nokia UK Website
Emma Cross
Grant Butler Coomber
www.gbc.co.uk
nokia@gbc.co.uk.
Tel: 020 8322 1922
ABOUT THE INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION
The UK Internet Industry founded the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in 1996.
The IWF is uniquely placed in that it is the only authorised organisation in the UK that provides an Internet ‘Hotline’ for the public to report their exposure to illegal images online. It is strongly supported by the Government and Police to minimise the availability of illegal content on the Internet with particular reference to child abuse images originating anywhere in the world, criminally racist and criminally obscene content hosted in the UK.
It operates independently of Government and receives no annual funding from it.
The major part of financial support for the IWF comes from organisations commonly associated with the internet, such as ISP’s, Telco’s, content providers, mobile operators and manufacturers and other relevant organisations.
The IWF, in partnership with many other organisations, has an education and awareness role so that, as more and more people make more and more use of the Internet, some of the problems of Internet use - particularly the risks to children - and the mechanisms for dealing with these problems are better known and understood.
For more information see:
IWF Website
Fay MacDonald
Communications Co-ordinator
The Internet Watch Foundation
fay@iwf.org.uk
Tel: 01223 237 700
Created: Wed, June 16th, 2004 | Last Modified: Thu, September 30th, 2004
