The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
("MIB") issued an advisory datedFebruary
19, 2025, to address growing concerns over content regulation
onOver-The-Top ("OTT") platforms. The
advisory comes in response to complaintsfrom Members of Parliament,
statutory organizations, and public grievancesregarding the alleged
dissemination of obscene, pornographic, and vulgarcontent on OTT
platforms and social media. The MIB has emphasized that
OTTplatforms should implement strict adherence to the Information
Technology(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)
Rules, 2021, whichestablish a three-tier grievance redressal
mechanism and a comprehensive Codeof Ethics. The advisory
specifically makes references to compliance with keylegislation
including the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986,
theBhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023, POCSO Act 2012, and the IT Act,
2000. OTTplatforms are directed to implement stringent age-based
content classificationand access control
