More than 40 OTT platforms and 1,800 digital news publishers have given requisite information to the Indian government under the new digital regulations, according to Minister of Information & Broadcasting Anurag Thakur.

Thakur furnished these details in Lok Sabha (Lower House of parliament) on Friday on being asked by a fellow parliamentarian from the Congress party on the number of OTT and digital news media platforms that have complied with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The new digital norms, which came into effect in the third week of May this year, have attracted not only criticisms on the ground that they were an attempt at over-reach by the government, but have also pushed many digital and TV-to-digital companies moving courts seeking judicial intervention and relief.

However, Thakur also informed the Lok Sabha that his ministry had carried out outreach programmes and webinars involving stakeholders in various parts of the country “for effective implementation of the Rules”.

“The Ministry has received communication from several (industry) associations and representatives of digital news publishers and OTT platforms regarding constitution of self-regulating bodies under the Rules,” Thakur added.

The new rules doesn’t mandate licensing or getting any clearance from the government on starting a curated content streaming venture, but demands that certain information (like names of owners of platforms, addresses, details of certain execs like grievance, nodal and chief compliance offers, etc.) be submitted to the MIB.