Govt Blocks 18 OTT Platforms: In the digital era, people have become more addicted to OTT platforms than theatres. As easily as these OTT platforms provide entertainment options, they are also spreading obscenity at the same speed. In such a situation, the Government of India has taken action against many OTT platforms publishing obscene content and has completely banned 18 apps.
Information and Broadcasting Minister L Murugan has said that the Government of India has banned 18 OTT platforms showing obscene and vulgar content this year. Responding to a question by Shiv Sena-UBT member Anil Desai in the Lok Sabha on December 18, Murugan said that the IT Rules of 2021 impose special obligations on intermediaries to make reasonable efforts against publishing or spreading obscene content.
Ban imposed on 18 OTT platforms
Murugan said- ‘The IT rules provide a code of conduct for publishers of news and contemporary affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms). The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken action in coordination with different coordinators and has banned 18 OTT platforms for publishing obscene content under these provisions on March 14, 2024.
‘It is important to follow the program code’
Murugan further said that he is required to follow the ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ of the Press Council of India and the Program Code under the Cable Television (Network Regulation Act, 1995) for the code of conduct. Regarding YouTube news channels like Bolta Hindustan and National Dastak, Murugan said that these channels come under the provisions of the IT Rules, 2021, Part III of which is made under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000). View instructions for banning covered content.
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