IT Minister Calls For Stricter Laws For Social Media, OTT Platforms

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has called for tightening the existing rules which govern social media and OTT platforms in the country.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw said that editorial checks in the traditional press, which proved crucial for accountability, are missing in the era of social media.

The minister said that the absence of this oversight has resulted in social media becoming a platform for freedom of expression on one hand and a space for uncontrolled expression, including vulgar content, on the other hand.

Vaishnaw also said that the cultural sensitivities of the country differ vastly from the regions where many of these platforms were created. Citing the need for stricter laws, he asked all the stakeholders to come together.

“There should be societal consensus on it, along with stricter laws to address this challenge” he said. Vaishnaw also asked the parliamentary standing committee to take up this issue on priority.

Responding to a separate question on laws to check vulgar content, the minister said that laws like Information Technology Rules, 2021 provide for a code of ethics for publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms). 

He also said that the information and broadcasting ministry blocked 18 OTT platforms for publishing obscene and vulgar content earlier this year.

The minister added that IT Rules, 2021 also cast an obligation on the social media intermediaries to appoint a grievance officer to look into complaints relating to violation of the rules. 

This is not the first time when OTT platforms have come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, Netflix was summoned by the government after a row erupted over its show ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’.

Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a plea filed by a lawyer seeking the formation of an autonomous body to regulate content OTT platforms. 

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