Wireless group to unveil mobile app rating system

A wireless industry group is teaming up with the video game industry to roll out a new rating system for mobile applications.

CTIA-The Wireless Association and the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) will unveil a new mobile app rating system on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C. Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) will attend the announcement.

The mobile application industry has exploded in recent years thanks to the proliferation of smartphones like Apple's iPhone and devices running Google's Android mobile platform. Both offer hundreds of thousands of apps that have been downloaded millions of times.

The most popular applications are generally social media tools and games, but lawmakers have previously scrutinized apps that allow users to avoid drunk-driving checkpoints.

CTIA refused to provide further details, but the new rating system is likely an attempt to forestall further involvement from Washington by assigning apps ratings to determine which are suitable for children or minors.

The ESRB is a self-regulatory body established by the video game industry that assigns ratings to video and computer games. Many retailers voluntarily restrict minors from purchasing games rated "Mature" or "Adults Only."

Earlier this year the Supreme Court struck down a California law that would have banned the sale of games deemed excessively violent to minors. A legal expert said the law was evidence the video game industry's attempts at self-regulation had yet to gain the same acceptance as Hollywood's rating system.

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