**Executive Summary:**
This document is a statement addressing Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 153 regarding the regulation of Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, to be answered on July 30, 2025. It outlines measures taken by the Indian government, including the notification of the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, and advisories issued to OTT platforms, to regulate content and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards. The statement also mentions actions taken against non-compliant platforms.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Regulatory Framework:**
* The Government notified the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021 on February 25, 2021, under the IT Act, 2000.
* Part III of the rules provides a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms).
* **Obligations of OTT Platforms:**
* OTT platforms must not transmit content prohibited by law.
* They are obligated 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, sex and violence.
* OTT platforms must implement safeguards to restrict age-inappropriate content for children, including access control measures.
* Section 793b 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.
* **Enforcement Actions:**
* After due consultation with relevant Ministries, 43 OTT platforms have been blocked so far.
**Impact Analysis:**
**OTT Platforms:**
* *Impact:* OTT platforms are subject to content regulation and must adhere to the IT Rules, 2021, including content classification and restrictions. They are liable for non-compliance, potentially facing penalties, warnings, or takedown notices.
* *Action Required:* Ensure compliance with the IT Rules, 2021, implement age-based content classification, restrict access to inappropriate content for children, and adhere to advisories issued by the government.
**Digital News Publishers:**
* *Impact:* Digital News Publishers are subject to content regulation and must adhere to the IT Rules, 2021, including ethical guidelines. They are liable for non-compliance.
* *Action Required:* Ensure compliance with the IT Rules, 2021, implement ethical guidelines.
**Consumers (including Children):**
* *Impact:* Consumers, particularly children, are intended to be protected from explicit, adult, violent, or culturally insensitive content.
* *Action Required:* Be aware of content classification and utilize available parental control measures.
**Government of India (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for enforcing the IT Rules, 2021, and monitoring compliance by OTT platforms.
* *Action Required:* Continue monitoring OTT platforms, issuing advisories, and taking enforcement actions against non-compliant platforms.
Key Entities Referenced
Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms: Digital platforms that provide video and audio content directly to consumers over the internet.
Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021: A set of rules notified by the Government of India to regulate digital media, including OTT platforms, and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Information Technology Act, 2000: An Act of the Indian Parliament that governs information technology, including data protection and cybercrime.
Code of Ethics: A set of principles outlined in the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, that digital news publishers and OTT platforms must adhere to.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to information, broadcasting, the press and films.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology in the Government of India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Indian Laws: The codified and uncodified laws that govern the Republic of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *153
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
REGULATION OF OTT PLATFORMS
*153. SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:
MS KANGNA RANAUT:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;
(a) whether the Government has taken effective measures to regulate Over-The-Top (OTT)
platforms in order to curb the spread of explicit, adult, violent or culturally insensitive content and
ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of the number of complaints received regarding obscene, misleading or harmful
content, especially related to children and women on OTT platforms since the notification of the
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021;
(c) whether any specific OTT platforms have been penalized, warned or issued takedown notices
for violations of the prescribed Code of Ethics;
(d) if so, the details of such actions including platform names, nature of violations and penalties
imposed; and
(e) whether the Government is considering the creation of an independent regulatory authority or
strengthen existing oversight mechanisms to ensure timely redressal of public grievances related
to OTT content especially concerning sensitive and adult themes, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS &
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *153 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025 ON REGULATION OF
OTT PLATFORMS
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, sex and violence.
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.
********