The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre and several digital platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Ullu, ALTT, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, in response to a petition seeking regulation of sexually explicit content on over-the-top (OTT) and social media platforms.

According to a report by IANS, the petition, filed by five individuals, calls for the establishment of a National Content Control Authority to oversee and prohibit the streaming of obscene material online. The plea alleges that certain social media profiles and OTT platforms are disseminating pornographic content without adequate filters, potentially including elements of child pornography. ​

A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns raised but emphasized that the matter falls within the purview of the executive and legislative branches. “You should do something about it,” Justice Gavai remarked, urging the government to take appropriate action. ​

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the court that existing regulations are in place and that additional measures are under consideration to address the issue. ​

The Supreme Court‘s notice underscores the growing concern over the proliferation of explicit content on digital platforms and the need for a regulatory framework to safeguard public morality and decency. ​