New Delhi, 17 December (H.S.): The Government of India has banned 43 over-the-top (OTT) platforms for allegedly streaming obscene and illegal content in violation of Indian laws. The information was provided by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Dr. Murugan stated that a robust legal framework exists under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to curb the dissemination of unlawful, pornographic, or objectionable material on digital platforms.

He clarified that every OTT service provider is legally obligated to refrain from streaming content prohibited under the law.The minister explained that Part III of the IT Rules, 2021 lays down a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and online curated content providers (OTT platforms).

This code includes age-based content classification, a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism, and specific timelines for the removal of unlawful or inappropriate content.He emphasized that in cases of rule violations, digital intermediaries risk losing the legal immunity provided under Section 79 of the IT Act, which otherwise shields them from liability for user-generated content.

In response to another question, Dr. Murugan clarified that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), constituted under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, is the statutory body for certifying films for public exhibition, but OTT content does not currently come under its jurisdiction.

Regulation of OTT platforms, he said, will continue to be governed under the IT Rules, 2021.The government also noted that provisions within the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, further strengthen legal action against online obscenity, misinformation, and cybercrimes.

While addressing concerns over content regulation, the minister highlighted that the OTT sector plays a vital role in promoting Indian creativity, culture, and heritage on global platforms. As per government estimates, India currently has between 95 million and 118 million paid OTT subscribers, signaling the rapid expansion of the country’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar