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OTT Content Advisory: I&B Ministry Targets Obscene Streaming

21 February 20251 min read
NATIONAL AFFAIRSOTT ContentAdvisory: I&BMinistry TargetsObscene Streaming21 February 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

After complaints from MPs and statutory bodies, the government issued an advisory to OTT services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar on content and age ratings.

Key facts

  • Illegal content is to be kept off; adult titles need age classification and parental locks.
  • Scope covers curated OTT content, not user-generated sites like YouTube.
  • Earlier, in December 2024, the ministry cautioned against shows glamorising drugs; the Supreme Court asked the government to act on obscene social media content.

Grievance redressal (IT Rules)

  1. Resolution by the platform itself.
  2. Appeal to a self-regulatory body.
  3. Final referral to the Union Government’s Inter-departmental Committee.

Laws cited

  • Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
  • POCSO Act
  • IT Act, 2000

Exam angle

  • Likely effects: stricter age gating, possible self-censorship and tighter definitions of “obscene”.

Test yourself

1. Under which rules did the I&B Ministry's OTT advisory stress age classification and content regulation?

The advisory refers to content regulation and age classification under the IT Rules of 2021.

2. What is the final tier of the three-stage grievance redressal under the IT Rules for OTT content?

Grievances go platform, then self-regulatory body, then the Inter-departmental Committee.

3. Which platforms are outside the scope of the advisory, according to the notes?

The advisory covers curated OTT content, not user-generated platforms like YouTube.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2025 (10 topics).

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