SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
To curb the dissemination of objectionable and vulgar content, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has taken decisive action by blocking 18 over-the-top (OTT) platforms in India. This crackdown, resulting in the disabling of 19 websites, 10 apps (seven on Google Play Store and three on Apple App Store), and 57 associated social media accounts, follows repeated warnings issued by Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Expressing grave concern over the proliferation of obscene material on various digital platforms, Union Minister Thakur reiterated the responsibility of OTT platforms to uphold ethical standards and refrain from promoting content that could be deemed offensive or abusive under the guise of creative expression.
Among the list of blocked platforms are Dreams Films, Voovi, Yessma, Uncut Adda, and several others, which were found to host content depicting nudity, sexual acts, and derogatory portrayal of women. The content in question violated several laws, including Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. Disturbing themes such as teacher-student relationships and incestuous family ties were identified.
Of particular concern was the high download rate of some of these apps. One OTT app alone had amassed over 1 crore downloads, while two others had more than 50 lakh downloads on the Google Play Store. These platforms heavily relied on social media for promotion, amassing a cumulative followership of over 32 lakh users across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
The Ministry of I&B has been actively engaging with OTT platforms and their self-regulatory bodies, established under the IT Rules, 2021, through various sensitization efforts, including meetings, webinars, and workshops. Despite these efforts, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the growth of the OTT industry while ensuring that ethical standards are upheld.
Initiatives such as the introduction of the Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series at the 54th International Film Festival of India and collaborations with OTT platforms underscore this commitment. The government has also emphasized the establishment of a light-touch regulatory framework, emphasizing self-regulation under the IT Rules, 2021.
