Govt. blocks 18 OTT platforms for streaming obscene content
- The Information & Broadcasting Ministry has blocked 18 OTT platforms for streaming obscene and vulgar content.
- Nineteen websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media handles associated with these platforms have also been blocked.
Key Highlights
- The action has been taken in coordination with various intermediaries for violations of the Information Technology Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.
- While seven of the blocked apps were hosted on Google Play Store, three were on Apple App Store, the Ministry said.
- Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting has repeatedly emphasised the responsibility of the platforms to not propagate obscenity, vulgarity, and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’.
- The Ministry said a significant portion of the content was found to be obscene and portrayed women in a demeaning manner.
Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2023
- No platform can allow harmful unapproved online games and their advertisements.
- They should not share false information about the Indian government, as confirmed by a fact-checking unit.
- Platforms providing online gaming will have to register with a Self-Regulatory Body (SRB) that will determine whether or not the game is "permissible.
- if any piece of information is marked as fake by the upcoming fact check unit,
- Intermediaries will be required to take it down, failing which they would risk losing their safe harbor, which protects them from litigation against third-party content.
Prelims Takeaway
- Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2023
- The Indian Penal Code