OTT platforms told not to air Pak-origin content

The government on Thursday advised over-the-top (OTT) platforms to discontinue streaming Pakistan-origin content, including web-series, films and podcasts.

The advisory by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting comes in the wake of strikes by Indian armed forces on terror sites in Pakistan to avenge the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

“In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue with immediate effect the web series, films, songs, podcasts and other media content, whether made available on a subscription-based model or otherwise, that have their origin in Pakistan,” the advisory stated.

The advisory refers to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which stipulate that content that affects India’s sovereignty, threatens security, harms relations with foreign countries and incites violence or disturbs public order should not be hosted.

Earlier, social media accounts of several Pakistani actors and singers were blocked in India.