PEGI Online Safety Code

The PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC) is a set of provisions, integrated into the PEGI Code of Conduct, to promote a minimum level of protection for young people in the online gaming environment. Companies whose games apply for this certificate commit themselves to banning inappropriate material from their site and to ensure appropriate behaviour among users. Once they have registered the game in question with the PEGI system, they will be authorized to display the PEGI Online Logo.

The main provisions are:

A coherent privacy policy

Any PEGI Online licence holder collecting personal information from subscribers will maintain an effective and coherent privacy policy in accordance with European Union and national Data Protection laws.

Age-rated game content

Only game content that has been appropriately rated under the PEGI system can apply for the PEGI Online certificate.

Appropriate reporting mechanisms

Appropriate mechanisms will be in place to allow game players to report the presence of undesirable content on any related online environment.

Removal of inappropriate content

License holders will use their best endeavours to ensure that online services under their control are kept free of content which is illegal, offensive, racist, degrading, corrupting, threatening, obscene or which might permanently impair the development of young people.

Community standards for online subscribers

PEGI Online licence holders will prohibit subscribers from introducing content or indulging in online behaviour which is illegal, offensive, racist, degrading, corrupting, threatening, obscene or which might permanently impair the development of young people.

A responsible advertisement policy

• all advertisements will accurately reflect the nature and content of the product represented and wherever reasonably practicable the rating issued
• all advertisements shall be created with a sense of responsibility towards the public
• no advertisement shall contain any content that is likely to cause serious or widespread offence
• advertising for products rated 16+ or 18+ shall not be specifically targeted towards those who are younger
• ancillary or separate products that are being sold or promoted in association with a core product must be appropriate for the audience for which the core product is intended
• licence holders should inform the public by means of a general statement of the existence of sponsorships and/or the existence of ‘product placements’ associated with any online service