Government Cracks Down on OTT Platforms for Obscene Content

The government has disabled access to 43 OTT platforms for displaying obscene content. Union Minister L Murugan informed that these platforms must adhere to legal content regulations. He details how the Central Board of Film Certification and the 2021 IT Rules manage content, ensuring compliance through a three-tiered regulatory mechanism.

The government has taken decisive action by disabling access to 43 OTT platforms accused of displaying obscene content, according to Union Minister L Murugan. The crackdown was announced in the Lok Sabha, where Murugan asserted that these platforms are obligated to comply with legal content regulations.

Murugan explained that the Central Board of Film Certification, a statutory authority under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, alongside the 2021 Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, are responsible for regulating OTT content. The Code of Ethics mandates these platforms avoid prohibited content and classify material based on age guidelines.

The minister elaborated on the three-tier institutional mechanism devised to ensure compliance: self-regulation by publishers, oversight by self-regulating bodies, and a central government oversight system. This framework addresses public grievances effectively, forwarding complaints to the concerned OTT platforms for necessary actions under the IT Rules, 2021.

(With inputs from agencies.)