Centre issues advisory to OTT, social media platforms amid 'India's Got Latent' row
The advisory also comes in the wake of the SC flagging the “vacuum” in law when it comes to sharing content on platforms such as YouTube
Amid a row over vulgar jokes on social media, the Centre has cracked the whip and warned OTT platforms against transmitting content that is prohibited by the law.
In an advisory to over-the-top (OTT) platforms and self-regulatory bodies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also asked them to strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules-2021 while publishing content, including stricter adherence to the age-based classification of content.
Also read: SC protects Ranveer Allahbadia from arrest; says ‘something dirty in his mind’
Proactive action
It also asked self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms to take appropriate proactive action for violation of the Code of Ethics by the platforms.
The ministry said it has received complaints from Members of Parliament, statutory organisations and public grievances regarding the alleged spread of obscene, pornographic and vulgar content published by certain publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms) and social media.
“In view of the above it is advised that the OTT platforms adhere to the various provisions of applicable laws, and the Code of Ethics prescribed under IT Rules, 2021 while publishing content on their platforms, including stricter adherence to the age-based classification of content prescribed under the Code of Ethics,” the advisory said.
Code of Ethics
It said the Code of Ethics, inter-alia, require OTT platforms not to transmit any content that is prohibited by law, undertake age-based classification of content, based on general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules, implement access control mechanism for 'A' rated content to restrict access to such content by a child, and also exercise due caution and discretion.
The advisory also comes in the wake of the Supreme Court suggesting regulation on content on social media platforms.
The apex court had flagged the “vacuum” in law when it comes to sharing content on platforms such as YouTube and said “all kinds of things were going on”.
Move after SC rap
A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh came down hard on podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as 'BeerBiceps guy' on Instagram, for his comment about parents and sex, and asked the Centre if it is planning to take steps to regulate “obscene” content online.
Also read: Ranveer Allahbadia says he’s getting death threats, asserts he's 'not running away'
“Union of India is a party... We would like to do something. Government of India will willingly do it, we will be very happy. Otherwise, we are not going to leave this vacuum. The way it is being misused by so-called YouTube channels... we have issued notice...” the court said.
After the court's questions to the Centre, a parliamentary panel had asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit a note on the efficacy of existing laws in dealing with such cases, and suggest amendments needed to bring online platforms under required legal scrutiny.
(With agency inputs)