The Centre informed Parliament that 50 OTT platforms have been disabled in the past two years for allegedly displaying obscene content and violating provisions of multiple laws.
Highlights
- Centre blocked 50 OTT platforms in the last two years.
- Action taken over alleged obscene content and legal violations.
- Platforms were blocked under the IT Act, BNS and Indecent Representation of Women Act.
- Government said complaints are examined under the IT Rules, 2021.
- Unlawful content is removed through notifications issued to intermediaries.
Story
The Central government has disabled public access to 50 OTT platforms in India over the past two years for allegedly hosting obscene content and violating provisions of the Information Technology Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
The information was shared by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
According to the government, the action was taken under Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
The Centre said that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, notified on February 25, 2021, provide an institutional mechanism for regulating digital news publishers and OTT platforms. Part III of these rules lays down a Code of Ethics that publishers of online curated content are required to follow.
The government also pointed out that Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000 empowers authorities to notify intermediaries to remove or disable access to unlawful content.
According to the ministry, complaints received against OTT platforms and other intermediaries are examined under the provisions of the IT Rules, 2021. Based on these complaints, appropriate action is taken, including disabling access to platforms found to be violating the law.
The government said it will continue monitoring digital platforms and take action whenever content is found to be in violation of the legal framework.
