The government has disabled public access to 50 OTT platforms in India over the last two years for displaying obscene content and violating provisions of the Information Technology Act and other laws, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan informed the Lok Sabha yesterday.

Replying to a question from a fellow parliamentarian on the availability of obscene and sexually explicit content on OTT platforms, social media channels and digital entertainment platforms, Murugan said the action was taken against platforms found violating Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

“The Government has disabled 50 OTT platforms for public access in India in the last two years for displaying obscene content,” he said.

The minister added that the regulatory framework for digital publishers and OTT platforms is governed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which were notified on February 25, 2021 under the IT Act, 2000.

“Part-III of the rules provides for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms). Complaints are addressed under the provisions of the IT Rules, 2021,” he explained.

Murugan also said Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000 provides for notifying intermediaries to remove or disable access to unlawful content.

“Based on complaints, the government regularly takes action against such intermediaries and OTT platforms,” he asserted.

The issue on streaming platforms was raised by BJP MP Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje, who sought to know whether the government had taken cognisance of the increasing availability of obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit and culturally insensitive content on OTT platforms, social media channels and digital entertainment platforms.

His queries also touched upon the use of abusive and derogatory language in certain stand-up comedy programmes.

The MP also asked whether the government had received complaints from citizens, parents, educational institutions and social organisations about the adverse impact of such content on children, youth and Indian cultural values.

In response, the minister outlined the existing legal framework and enforcement measures, but did not dwell on any new regulatory proposals in his reply. (The image used is a file photo)