Govt bans 18 OTT platforms for obscene content under IT Rules 2021

The Union government has banned 18 OTT platforms in 2024 for publishing content deemed obscene, vulgar, and pornographic, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister L. Murugan.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on December 18, Murugan explained that the Information Technology (IT) Rules of 2021 impose strict due diligence obligations on intermediaries to prevent the display or spread of inappropriate content, as per a PTI report.

Murugan clarified that the IT Rules include a Code of Ethics for digital media publishers and online curated content providers, such as OTT platforms. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in coordination with various intermediaries, blocked the 18 platforms on March 14, 2024, for violating these provisions by publishing harmful content.

In response to additional questions on digital news publishers, Murugan noted that the Code of Ethics requires adherence to the Press Council of India’s ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and the Programme Code under the Cable Television (Network Regulation) Act, 1995. He also addressed the regulation of news channels like Bolta Hindustan and National Dastak, emphasizing that these digital news platforms are also covered by the IT Rules, 2021.

Murugan further explained that Part-III of the IT Rules allows the government to block content under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, in cases that threaten India’s sovereignty, security, public order, or relations with foreign states. The Rules empower the Centre to issue directions to government agencies or intermediaries to block such content in the national interest. MoneyControl