LOS ANGELES — The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) has commented on upcoming regulations for commercial apps and websites that rely on credit card and other transaction processors.
“ASACP is on the frontline of all things related to online child protection, including the evolving edicts from card associations such as Mastercard and Visa, which can dramatically affect online content producers and publishers and their bottom line,” Executive Director Tim Henning said. “By sponsoring ASACP and making use of its services, merchants can show a good-faith effort to operate safely and responsibly, which is something that the payment processing industry and other stakeholders take seriously.”
Earlier this year, Mastercard signaled its intentions to clamp down on questionable content with the release of its “New Specialty Merchant Registration Requirements for Adult Content Merchants” (AN 5196) that seek to prevent the posting of, and aid in the removal of, any anonymously sourced material.
Mastercard’s new standards are set to go into effect on October 15.
Henning applauded Mastercard’s efforts to keep minors out of and away from adult-oriented materials and underscored the value of the association as a resource for its sponsors, providing child protection tools and techniques for all merchants.
“By becoming an ASACP sponsor or member and making use of our services, merchants can help ensure that their relationship with Mastercard and other card associations — as well as the ability to process adult transactions via these services — is protected,” Henning said. “It is another example of how ‘doing the right thing’ and supporting ASACP makes good business sense.”
ASACP said they welcome all sites into its family of sponsors, as long as the content they provide and the way it is presented is legal.
“Mastercard’s move will likely be echoed by other card associations and the processors they work with, adding new restrictions on adult content and marketing,” Henning concluded. “ASACP’s 25 years of expertise in this arena makes an enormous difference in preserving both the innocence of youth and the profitability of business — but this success is only possible through the continued support of our sponsors.”
For additional information, visit ASACP.org and email tim@asacp.org.