The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) has updated its Restricted to Adults (RTA) labeling system, providing website operators with clearer guidance and expanded implementation options. The RTA label is a widely accepted industry standard for indicating that adult content is restricted to adults only.
What Happened
According to ASACP's representative, there are two ways to enable the RTA label: by placing a meta tag in a site's HTML or by adding an HTTP response header. The first method involves adding the meta tag to every page featuring adult content, while the second method uses an HTTP response header to cover all online content without modifying individual HTML files.
The updated RTA labeling page offers examples of how to implement this across various platforms and servers, including Apache via .htaccess, Cloudflare, Hugo, IIS, Jekyll, Next.js, Nginx, PHP, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress. Bulk editing is also available for users with a large number of static HTML files but without a CMS, enabling them to insert the meta tag via a command-line script.
Background and Context
The RTA label has been an industry standard for over 30 years, designed to prevent children from accessing adult web pages and apps. ASACP's Executive Director Tim Henning emphasized the importance of the RTA label in protecting children while also respecting adults' rights. "RTA blocks children when parental control is present, and AV blocks kids when parental control is unavailable," he said.
ASACP has been working tirelessly to promote online child safety by providing free resources for parents, Best Practices tailored to specific adult market segments, and a comprehensive Code of Ethics for all website and mobile app publishers. The organization's CSAM Reporting Tipline has processed over 1.3 million reports since its launch.
Why It Matters to the Industry
The updated RTA labeling system is crucial for the adult industry as it provides a clear and consistent way to indicate that content is restricted to adults only. This is particularly important in today's digital landscape, where online safety and age verification are becoming increasingly critical.
By implementing the RTA label, website operators can demonstrate their commitment to protecting children while also complying with regulatory requirements. The updated system also provides a seamless integration with other age verification systems, making it easier for platforms to ensure that they are meeting their obligations.
What Comes Next
ASACP is encouraging website operators to take advantage of the updated RTA labeling system and implement it on their websites. The organization has also introduced a Verify tool that allows users to confirm if their site's URL is correctly set up, as well as an RTA Verified program that will allow users to obtain a 'verified' badge for their platform.
With the updated RTA labeling system in place, ASACP aims to make it easier for website operators to deploy and maintain the label. The organization believes that with the support of industry stakeholders, they can make the RTA label an essential element in every platform's child protection toolkit.
Key Facts
- The RTA label is a widely accepted industry standard for indicating that adult content is restricted to adults only.
- There are two ways to enable the RTA label: by placing a meta tag in a site's HTML or by adding an HTTP response header.
- The updated RTA labeling page offers examples of how to implement this across various platforms and servers.
- Bulk editing is available for users with a large number of static HTML files but without a CMS, enabling them to insert the meta tag via a command-line script.
- ASACP's CSAM Reporting Tipline has processed over 1.3 million reports since its launch.
For further details on the updated RTA labeling system and how to implement it, website operators can visit ASACP's website at asacp.org.
