Supreme Court Raises Concern Over Obscene Content On OTT; Issues Notice

New Delhi: Addressing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) urging action to curb the streaming of obscene content, the Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, OTT platforms, and social media companies.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih said that the Centre must do something within the law to address it. The apex court held that implementing measures to control objectionable content falls under the domain of legislature and executive.

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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, acknowledged the issue and stressed that though full censorship is not desirable, greater regulation is required. Continuing further, Mehta informed the court that while some regulations are already in place, and further measures are being considered. “There is some regulation in place, some is in contemplation,” he said.

“This petition raises an important concern with regard to the display of various objectionable, obscene, and indecent contents on OTT platforms and social media. Learned Solicitor General fairly states that the contents go to the extent of perversity. He submits that certain more regulations are in contemplation,” the Bench said in the order.

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This order comes after the petitions requesting the Supreme Court to direct the Centre to establish a National Content Control Authority aimed at restricting and preventing the display of pornographic and sexually explicit content online. These petition claim that absence of strict rules has led to widespread sharing of explicit material online and argue that certain OTT platforms are broadcasting content that could add up to ‘child pornography’.

“The unchecked circulation of such material, including child pornography and softcore adult content, has contributed to a rising trend of crimes against women and children while negatively shaping the psychological development of young minds,” the petition argued.