The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) has updated its Restricted to Adults (RTA) labeling system. These updates aim to simplify the implementation of RTA labels across various online platforms and servers.

RTA Labeling System Enhancements

The ASACP's RTA labeling system has received updates designed to make it easier for adult content providers to implement. The system offers two primary methods for enabling RTA: placing a meta tag within a site’s HTML or adding an HTTP response header.

According to a representative, the first method involves adding the HTML meta tag to the section of every page that features adult content. The second method utilizes an HTTP response header to cover all online content without requiring modifications to individual HTML files.

The updated RTA labeling page provides examples for implementing these methods across various platforms and servers. These include Apache via .htaccess, Cloudflare, Hugo, IIS, Jekyll, Next.js, Nginx, PHP, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress. For users managing a large number of static HTML files without a Content Management System (CMS), bulk editing is available. This allows for the insertion of the meta tag through a command-line script, with examples provided for Bash on Linux and macOS.

Verification and Audited Badges

Following the implementation of an RTA label, a Verify tool is available. This tool allows users to paste their site’s URL into an online form to confirm that the label is correctly set up. Additionally, the RTA Verified program will enable users to obtain a "verified" badge for their platform. This badge signifies that their label usage has been audited.

Integration with Age Verification Systems

ASACP Executive Director Tim Henning commented on the program, stating that RTA works alongside other age verification systems. Henning noted that RTA blocks children when parental control is present, and age verification blocks children when parental control is unavailable. Henning also stated that RTA continues to be a significant feature for the association and expressed enthusiasm about making it easier to deploy.

ASACP, founded in 1996 by Alec Helmy, founder and president of XBIZ, is an American nonprofit organization. It works to combat Internet child pornography and assists parents in preventing children from accessing age-inappropriate material online. Most of ASACP's funding comes from sponsoring companies within the online adult entertainment industry. The organization has hundreds of member companies, encompassing thousands of websites. All ASACP member sites are required to adhere to the group's code of ethics.

ASACP operates an online child pornography reporting hotline, which receives thousands of reports monthly. The organization investigates these reports to determine the hosting, billing, IP address, ownership, and linkage of suspected child pornography sites. This information is then forwarded to law enforcement, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and international hotlines. Sites can also be shut down by reporting them to their web hosts and domain name registrars. In April 2007, ASACP announced that its online reporting system had registered its 200,000th report from internet users.

The RTA website label was initially launched by ASACP in late 2006. It functions as a meta tag that webmasters place in the page headers of adult websites to enhance parental filtering capabilities.

Key Facts

  • The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) updated its Restricted to Adults (RTA) labeling system on June 23, 2026.
  • RTA can be enabled by placing a meta tag in a site’s HTML or by adding an HTTP response header.
  • The updated labeling page provides implementation examples for platforms including Apache, Cloudflare, Hugo, IIS, Jekyll, Next.js, Nginx, PHP, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.
  • A Verify tool allows users to confirm correct RTA setup, and the RTA Verified program offers an audited "verified" badge.
  • ASACP Executive Director Tim Henning stated that RTA functions with other age verification systems.
  • ASACP was founded in 1996 by Alec Helmy.