The Information & Broadcasting Ministry is considering a comprehensive statutory framework to regulate OTT content, according to a Times of India report today.

The proposed framework aims to address content considered offensive to societal standards while protecting individual rights and freedoms.

A parliamentary committee has recommended stronger age-verification mechanisms, parental controls and penalties for non-compliance. It also called for improving the existing self-regulatory system followed by OTT platforms.

The committee has further suggested an independent expert panel to review flagged OTT content after release.

The panel could include experts from child development, education, law and social sciences.

The recommendations come amid concerns that weak age verification could expose minors to harmful content.

The proposed system would also include a standardised grievance mechanism and monitoring of flagged or trending content.