Centre Warns OTT Platforms To Follow Code Of Ethics Amid 'India's Got Latent' Row
New Delhi: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry warned social media platforms and online streaming services on Tuesday to follow the rules and guidelines set by the IT Rules (2021). They need to make sure they are regulating their own content properly.
Specifically, they have been told to follow the Code of Ethics, regulate their content to ensure it is suitable for all audiences, and implement access controls to prevent children from accessing adult content rated “A.”
This means that online platforms need to take responsibility for the content they host and ensure that it is not harmful or inappropriate for children.
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The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued a notification amid controversy surrounding podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s allegedly obscene comments on the YouTube show India’s Got Latent.
The government ordered the removal of the episode from YouTube, and Allahbadia is now facing police cases for his remarks.
The notification comes as the Supreme Court is hearing Allahbadia’s plea to combine the two police cases filed against him, and the questioning suggests that Allahbadia’s comments have sparked significant outrage and concern.
Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh strongly criticised Ranveer Allahbadia for his comments about parents and sex. The court asked the Indian government if it plans to regulate online content considered obscene.
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India’s Got Latent was a popular roasting show that featured up-and-coming comedians and celebrities. However, the show has been embroiled in controversy after Ranveer Allahbadia’s comments sparked widespread outrage and calls for his arrest.
The Ministry has issued a stern warning to social media channels and OTT websites to adhere to the Code of Ethics, and the Supreme Court has questioned the centre about regulating “obscene” content online.
Also, the way it is being misused by so-called YouTube channels and all these things is going on, and the ministry has issued notice, the court said.
The court also added that the government of India will willingly do it and will be very happy. Otherwise, the ministry is not going to leave this vacuum.
The government’s notification stated that it had received complaints about the “spread of obscene, pornographic, and vulgar content published by certain publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms) and social media.”
In response, the government said the law requires OTT platforms to “not transmit any content that is prohibited by law (and) undertake age-based classification of content,” in addition to “access-control mechanisms” and “due caution” to ensure children do not view such content.
