Kangana Ranaut asks government what action it has taken to curb adult OTT content

The government on Wednesday informed Parliament that 43 Over the Top platforms had been blocked so far for violation of the content code.

Replying to a question by Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut who asked whether the government has taken effective measures to regulate OTT platforms in order to curb the spread of explicit, adult, violent or culturally insensitive content and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said 43 platforms had been blocked for violation.

Vaishnaw said the government had notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules 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). OTT platforms are under obligation not to transmit any content which is prohibited by law for the time being in force," he said.

The minister added that OTT platforms are under obligation to undertake age-based self-classification of content, based on general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules which contain the provisions related to depiction relating to nudity, sex and violence.

"The OTT platforms are also under obligation to put in place adequate safeguards for restricting age-inappropriate content for children with adequate access control measures. Besides, Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, provides for notification by appropriate governments of unlawful act or content to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to such content," Vaishnaw said in a written reply to Ranaut.

He said the government has issued an advisory dated February 19 to OTT platforms and Self-regulatory Bodies of OTT platforms for ensuring adherence to Indian Laws and the Code of Ethics laid down under the IT Rules, 2021, while hosting content on their platforms.

"After due consultation with relevant ministries, 43 OTT platforms have been blocked so far," he said.