As many as 18 OTT platforms, “publishing obscene, vulgar, and, in some instances, pornographic content”, have been blocked by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).
A press release by the ministry stated that 19 websites, 10 apps (seven on Google Play Store, three on Apple App Store) and 57 social media handles of OTT platforms blocked nationwide.
The content is said to be in violation of IT Act, Indian Penal Code, and Indecent representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.
Union minister Anurag Thakur, the I&B release stated, has repeatedly emphasized the responsibility of the platforms to not propagate obscenity, vulgarity and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’.
Last year, in a meeting with representatives of OTT players, Thakur told the representatives of over-the-top media service that they have a responsibility of ensuring that their platform does not propagate vulgarity and abuse.
“OTT players have a responsibility of ensuring that their platform does not propagate vulgarity and abuse camouflaged as ‘creative expression’,” he said in a tweet.
In the meeting held in New Delhi, he also asked the platforms to be sensitive and not demean India’s culture in the content it produces under this creative freedom.
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