Centre warns OTT platforms to follow IT rules amid ‘India’s Got Latent’ controversy

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued a strict advisory to OTT platforms and social media to follow the Code of Ethics under IT Rules (2021), ensuring self-regulation and age-based content restrictions. This move comes amid a growing controversy over obscene remarks made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia on the stand-up comedy show ‘India’s Got Latent’, which was later removed from YouTube after government intervention.

The notification stated that the ministry had received multiple complaints regarding the "spread of obscene, pornographic, and vulgar content" on various OTT platforms and social media. The government has now reminded digital platforms of their legal obligations, stressing that they must not transmit content that violates Indian laws and should implement access controls for ‘A’ rated content to prevent children from viewing inappropriate material.

Furthermore, the government reiterated that OTT platforms must ensure compliance with the self-regulatory framework mandated under IT Rules, 2021. Self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms are expected to monitor content and ensure that platforms adhere strictly to ethical standards. The notification warned that failing to follow these guidelines could lead to stricter regulatory action.

This government action follows sharp criticism from the Supreme Court, which recently heard a plea by Ranveer Allahbadia seeking to club the multiple police cases filed against him. A Supreme Court bench, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, questioned the government about its regulation of obscene content on digital platforms. The judges stated they would intervene if necessary, adding that they "would not leave a vacuum" in regulating online content.

In response to the court's concerns, a parliamentary panel has now asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit a report evaluating the effectiveness of current OTT and social media laws. The panel will also suggest possible amendments to strengthen regulations on online content.