The government of India has taken action against 50 over-the-top (OTT) platforms in the last two years for showcasing obscene content and breaching laws, as per Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. These platforms were found to be in violation of various sections of the Information Technology Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The government utilizes its authority under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to instruct intermediaries to remove or disable access to unlawful content based on complaints received.
Vaishnaw emphasized that the government’s digital policies aim to provide a secure and accountable internet environment for all users, including children. He highlighted that the Information Technology Act, 2000, in conjunction with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, establishes the legal framework for ensuring digital well-being, user protection, and responsible online engagement. Intermediaries are mandated under the IT Rules to exercise due diligence and caution users against sharing content that could harm children or infringe any existing laws.
The minister reiterated that intermediaries must adhere to due diligence standards while carrying out their responsibilities and must caution users against disseminating any content that could be detrimental to children or violate prevailing laws. The government’s actions are in line with its commitment to maintaining a safe and accountable online space for all users, especially minors.
