**Policy Summary: Regulation of Obscene Content on OTT Platforms in India**
In response to concerns raised regarding the proliferation of obscene videos and photographs on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms and their potential negative impact on children and society, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has addressed the issue through existing regulatory frameworks and specific interventions.
The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, notified on February 25, 2021, under the IT Act, 2000, establishes a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content, including OTT platforms. This code mandates that OTT platforms refrain from transmitting content prohibited by law and undertake age-based self-classification of content based on guidelines related to the depiction of nudity and sex. Furthermore, platforms are obligated to implement safeguards to restrict children's access to age-inappropriate content through access control measures.
Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, allows the government to notify intermediaries of unlawful content for removal or disabling of access. An advisory was issued on February 19, 2025, to OTT platforms and their Self-Regulatory Bodies, emphasizing adherence to Indian laws and the Code of Ethics outlined in the IT Rules, 2021. To date, following consultations with relevant ministries, the government has blocked 43 OTT platforms for non-compliance.
The responsible Minister is the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan.
Key Entities Referenced
IT Act, 2000: The Information Technology Act, 2000, an Act of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for information and broadcasting policies and regulations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
OTT platforms: Over-the-top platforms that provide streaming media services directly to viewers via the Internet.
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Rules notified under the IT Act, 2000, providing a code of ethics for digital news publishers and OTT platforms.
Dr. L. Murugan: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs.
Section 793b of IT Act, 2000: A section of the Information Technology Act, 2000 related to the removal or disabling of access to unlawful content by intermediaries.
Indian Laws: Laws of Republic of India
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1681
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
OBSCENE VIDEOS AND PICTURES ON OTT PLATFORMS
†1681. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;
(a) whether obscene videos and photographs are in abundance on OTT
platforms resulting in wrong message to children and society;
(b) if so, whether heinous crimes are increasing day by day due to such
obscene contents on OTT platforms;
(c) if so, whether it is necessary to stop the display of such obscene on OTT
platforms completely; and
(d) if so, whether any laws or rules being framed in this regard and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d): The Government has notified the Information Technology
(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 on
25.02.2021 under IT Act, 2000. Part-III of the rules provides for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers
and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms).
OTT platforms are under obligation to not transmit any content which is
prohibited by law for the time being in force.
OTT platforms are under obligation to undertake age-based self-
classification of content, based on general guidelines provided in the
Schedule to the Rules which contain the provisions related to depiction
relating to nudity and sex.
The OTT platforms are also under obligation to put in place adequate
safeguards for restricting age-inappropriate content for children with
adequate access control measures. Besides, Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000
provides for notification by appropriate Governments of unlawful act or
content to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to such content.
Government has issued advisory dated 19.02.2025 to OTT platforms and Self-
regulatory Bodies of OTT platforms for ensuring adherence to Indian Laws and
the Code of Ethics laid down under the IT Rules, 2021 while hosting of content
on their platforms.
After due consultation with relevant Ministries, 43 OTT platforms have been
blocked so far.
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