Parliament Question: Pirated Films

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2835 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026 PIRATED FILMS 2835. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state; (a) the manner in which the Government is dealing with pirated films, Over-the-Top (OTT) shows and other audio visual content being shown on Telegram; (b) whether it is also true that Telegram has been found using its platform for circulation of child sexual abuse material, fake job ads, cyber fraud and pirated content; and (c) if so, the details of the action taken by the Government on Telegram and similar other platforms? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN) (a) to (c): The Government has strengthened the legal and institutional framework to deal with online piracy of cinematograph films, including unauthorized dissemination of films through intermediaries such as Telegram. The Cinematograph Act, 1952 was amended through the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 to introduce specific provisions to curb unauthorized recording and exhibition of films. The newly inserted Section 7(1B)(ii) empowers the Government, under Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to take action against intermediaries hosting pirated content. Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 provides for notification by appropriate Governments to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to unlawful content. Under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, the intermediaries are required to remove any content violative of any law for the time being in force as and when brought to their knowledge either through a court order or through a notice by appropriate government or its authorized agency.On receipt of complaints regarding piracy of films, the Ministry issues notifications to intermediaries directing them to remove or disable access to infringing content expeditiously. The Government has authorized the Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to issue content takedown notices to intermediaries under the Information Technology Rules, 2021 and the Cinematograph Act, 1952. An institutional mechanism has also been established in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to receive complaints from copyright holders regarding pirated copies of films available on the internet and to issue notifications to intermediaries for disabling access to such content. Anti-piracy action In accordance with the above-mentioned provisions of law, the intermediaries have been directed to disable 7,393 URLs, including 1,263 websites and 4,996 Telegram channels for film piracy. ***