GUWAHATI: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, has issued an advisory on February 19, 2025, to Online Curated Content Publishers (OTT platforms) and their Self-regulatory Bodies, urging strict adherence to Indian laws and the Code of Ethics under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
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The advisory, issued with the approval of the Competent Authority, follows public grievances, complaints from Members of Parliament, and concerns from statutory organisations regarding the spread of obscene, pornographic, and vulgar content on OTT platforms and social media.
The advisory emphasises that OTT platforms must comply with the Code of Ethics, which includes:
- Not transmitting content prohibited by law.
- Age-based classification of content.
- Implementing access controls for ‘A’ rated content to prevent children from accessing it.
Furthermore, the Ministry highlighted the legal provisions under the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986, Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, which make the publication of obscene or pornographic content a punishable offense.
The advisory also emphasises the three-level institutional mechanism established under Part-III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to address grievances related to violations of the Code of Ethics.
In addition to urging platforms to adhere strictly to age-based classifications, the advisory calls on Self-regulatory Bodies of OTT platforms to take proactive action against violations of the Code of Ethics, ensuring better compliance across the industry.
