Government Cracks Down: 18 OTT Platforms Blocked for ‘Obscene’ Content – What This Means for Your Streaming Experience

The IT regulations grant the central government authority to instruct government agencies and intermediaries to restrict access to content based on specified criteria.

The government has taken significant action this year by blocking 18 OTT platforms, following Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan's announcement in the Lok Sabha. This measure was a response to the dissemination of inappropriate and vulgar content by these platforms, which led to concerns about their impact on societal norms.

During a session in Parliament, Minister Murugan addressed a question posed by Anil Desai of the Shiv Sena-UBT, highlighting the provisions established under the IT Rules of 2021. These regulations impose specific due diligence responsibilities on intermediaries, mandating them to proactively prevent the display or distribution of obscene or pornographic material.

According to Murugan, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has coordinated efforts with various intermediaries to enforce these rules. On March 14, 2024, the decision to block the aforementioned OTT platforms was taken, citing the publication of obscene, vulgar, and in certain cases, pornographic content.

The IT Rules also encompass a Code of Ethics that governs digital media publishers, especially those dealing with news and current affairs, as well as those marketing curated online content through OTT services. This Code of Ethics imposes the necessity for digital news publishers to comply with established journalistic standards as defined by the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television (Network Regulation Act, 1995).

In response to another inquiry, Murugan clarified that various digital media news publishers, including YouTube channels such as Bolta Hindustan and National Dastak, are also subjected to the regulations dictated by the IT Rules of 2021. Specifically, Part-III of these rules allows for directives to be issued for blocking content as outlined in Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Additionally, Murugan emphasized that the rules endow the central government with the authority to issue blocking directions to any governmental agency or intermediary. This power is activated for reasons concerning the sovereignty and integrity of India, national defense, state security, maintaining amicable relations with foreign states, public order, or for curbing incitement to any cognizable offense related to these areas.

This robust approach by the government underscores a commitment to upholding content standards across digital platforms, ensuring that the public is safeguarded from exposure to content considered unacceptable or harmful. The ongoing efforts to regulate and monitor these platforms highlight a significant step towards fostering a responsible digital media environment in India.

As the government continues to monitor the digital landscape, it remains imperative for content publishers to adhere strictly to these evolving guidelines, thereby ensuring compliance with national standards and contributing positively to the cultural and ethical fabric of society.