New Delhi, December 17: The Central Government has banned 43 over-the-top (OTT) platforms in India for broadcasting pornographic content.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan gave this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The Minister said that a strict legal framework exists under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to prevent the broadcast of illegal, obscene, and objectionable content on digital platforms. Under these rules, OTT platforms are obligated not to broadcast any content that is prohibited by law.
Murugan said that Part III of the IT Rules, 2021 provides for a code of conduct for digital news publishers and online curated content (OTT). It includes age-based classification, a three-tiered grievance redressal mechanism, and a time limit for removing illegal content. Violations of these rules could also result in the termination of the exemption granted to intermediaries under Section 79 of the IT Act.
Responding to another question, the Minister stated that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, to certify films, and that there is currently no proposal to bring OTT content under its purview. OTT content is regulated under the IT Rules, 2021.
The government stated that the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, further strengthen action against online pornography, misinformation, and cybercrimes. The OTT sector is playing a vital role in providing a global platform to Indian creativity and cultural heritage, with the number of paying OTT users in the country estimated to be between 95- 118 million.