Amid ‘India’s Got Latent’ row, Centre warns streaming platforms against ‘vulgar’ content

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday warned over-the-top platforms against streaming “content that is prohibited by law”, The Hindu reported.

The platforms were also directed to ensure age-based content classification and implement self-regulation in line with the 2021 Information Technology Rules.

The notification stated that it had received complaints about the “spread of obscene, pornographic and vulgar content by certain publishers of OTT platforms and social media,” The Indian Express reported. The government did not specify the content it was referring to.

The ministry said that the law requires streaming platforms not to “transmit any content which is prohibited by law (and) undertake age-based classification of content”.

Under the 2021 IT rules, streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are required to set up a mechanism to address public grievances. While films have the censor board, OTT platforms are required to self-classify their content based on age. Detailed classification of content on the basis of age, sex, violence and nudity must also be listed.

The rules do not impose a blanket ban on swearing, sex or nudity on screen but instead mandate that shows and films that contain it be rated for older audiences, The Hindu reported.

Streaming services are also required to submit to the authority of an appeals body headed by a retired High Court or Supreme...

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