The Indian government has tightened its grip on OTT platforms mandating them to follow strict content guidelines under the IT Rules 2021. The move comes after a stand-up comedy show “India's Got Latent” sparked outrage due to inappropriate remarks made by Ranbir Allahabadia. The ministry has issued a notice requiring platforms to enforce content rating systems and prevent children from accessing adult material.

Government's Stand on OTT Content Regulation

In response to growing concerns over explicit content on social media and OTT platforms the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a fresh directive. The ministry emphasised that OTT platforms must strictly comply with the ‘Code of Ethics’ under the 2021 IT Rules. A key focus of the new regulations is to ensure children cannot access adult-rated content through stricter ‘access control mechanisms’.

The directive also mandates that OTT platforms must adhere to their own self-regulatory guidelines while ensuring compliance with government rules. The decision was prompted by a controversy surrounding a stand-up comedy episode featuring Ranbir Allahabadia, which was criticised for inappropriate remarks.

Trigger for the New Guidelines

The controversy erupted after ‘India’s Got Latent’ featured a segment where Ranbir Allahabadia made inappropriate comments involving parents sparking widespread outrage. The episode was widely condemned leading the ministry to direct YouTube to remove the video. YouTuber Samay Raina later deleted all videos related to the show from his channel.

The government stated that it had received numerous complaints regarding the spread of obscene and sexually explicit content on social media and OTT platforms. To curb this, the ministry is pushing for tighter regulations that will ensure,

- OTT platforms classify content based on age suitability.

- Self-regulatory bodies oversee content compliance.

- Content violating the ‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act’ or IT regulations is subject to legal action.

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Stricter Measures for OTT Platforms

The new guidelines emphasise that OTT platforms must implement robust parental controls preventing minors from accessing explicit content. The government has warned that publishing obscene material could lead to legal consequences under the IT Act and the POCSO Act.

Additionally OTT platforms will be held accountable for any violations and their self-regulatory committees will be responsible for ensuring compliance with ethical standards. The ministry aims to create a safer digital space by enforcing these new rules. 

With rising concerns over inappropriate content the Indian government is set to enforce stricter monitoring of OTT platforms. These regulations aim to maintain ethical broadcasting standards while ensuring children's safety in the digital entertainment landscape.