System for authorising access to encoded content by an approved application and authorised user

A system for a content provider to deliver encoded content 6 or data to users, subject to the user and the application 10 used to process the content, eg view or play, both being approved is disclosed. The system has storage means 54 for a list of approved applications which is checked by a processing means when an application requests access to content. A second storage means 52 holds user authorisations for the different content and operates with a second processing means to allow a requesting application to access the content if the application is approved and if an authorisation exists in the second storage means. When the application is approved no authorisation exists in the second store, the system may attempt to obtain such authorisation from a separate store. The system may when obtaining the authorisation use data that identifies the user. The system may be incorporated in a user module eg a smart card or SIM card for a mobile phone.