New Delhi, July 22: The central government has taken significant action against obscene content by blocking public access to 50 OTT platforms in India over the past two years. This information was shared by Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
In a written response in the Lok Sabha, the minister stated that this action was taken against intermediaries and OTT platforms that violated provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, specifically Sections 67 and 67A, as well as Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized, “The government has blocked public access to 50 OTT platforms in India for displaying obscene content and violating Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.”
He noted that the government acts upon receiving complaints and utilizes powers granted under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to direct intermediaries to remove illegal content or block access to it.
The minister highlighted that the government’s digital policy aims to provide an open, safe, reliable, and accountable internet for all users, especially children.
He explained that the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, establishes a legal framework that promotes digital well-being, user safety, and responsible online participation.
Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that intermediaries are required to adhere to due diligence under the IT rules. They must clearly inform their users not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update, or share any content that is harmful to children or violates any laws in the country.
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