Android Market to introduce age ratings for games and apps

Google is seeking to introduce more organisation to the Android Market, its App Store equivalent.

While the Android operating system and associated download store has been praised for its comparatively open structure, there has also been concern about its somewhat unregulated nature.

From next week, all developers submitting new apps or updates must add an age rating. Any that do not will be automatically classified as 'Mature'.

Developers of existing apps will have "the next several weeks" to update their software with an age rating. The age categories are All, Pre-teen, Teen and Mature (specific details here), and will come into public play in the coming weeks.

Google has promised further improvements to the Market in the near future.