By Jo Best
Monday, October 27 2008 10:02 AM
URL: http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/internet/0,39044908,62047639,00.htm

The fight against illegal online content is set to get a substantial cash injection, following a vote on Wednesday in the European Parliament.

The vote mandated MEPs to adopt a proposal backing the next phase of the EU's 'Safer Internet' plan, set to cost 55 million euros (US$69 million).

The scheme, which will run from 2009 to 2013, aims to tackle "illegal content, promote a safer online environment, raise public awareness and establish a knowledge base for research purposes", according to the European Parliament.

Forty-eight percent of the scheme's 55 million euros (US$69 million) budget is scheduled to go to public awareness; 34 percent to fighting illegal content and tackling harmful conduct online; 10 percent to "promoting a safer online environment" and eight percent to setting up the European knowledge base.

The scheme will oversee national contact points for reporting illegal content and involving children in online-safety initiatives.

MEPs also supported proposals that could create a 'child safe' label for Web pages, as well as other software-based content filters.

The Safer Internet program is expected to be formally approved by the end of this year.

Jo Best of Silicon.com reported from London.