Blitz Bureau
The Supreme Court has called on Centre to consider regulating ‘obscene content’ on YouTube and other social media platforms, expressing concern over the misuse of these platforms by certain channels.
The court’s comments followed row over controversial remarks made by YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia during his guest appearance on the show India’s Got Latent.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh instructed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to seek assistance from the Attorney General and Solicitor General on the matter. “There was this case of so-called YouTubers… We would like you (the government) to do something. If the government is willing to do something, we are happy; otherwise, we will not leave this vacuum and barren area the way so-called YouTube channels are misusing it and all these things are going on..,” news agency ANI quoted Justice Kant remarked to Bhati.
The Bench stressed the importance and sensitivity of the issue, urging the government to take action. “We should not overlook the importance and sensitivity of the issue,” the Supreme Court added. Justice Kant further instructed Bhati to request the presence of the Attorney General and Solicitor General at the next hearing.
Advisory to OTT platforms
In an advisory to over-the-top (OTT) platforms and self-regulatory bodies, the I&B Ministry asked them to strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics prescribed under the Information Technology Rules-2021 while publishing content, including stricter adherence to classification of content. The advisory said the Ministry has received “references” from MPs, “representations” from statutory organisations and “public grievances” regarding the “spread of obscene, pornographic and vulgar content” on online curated content (OTT platforms) and social media.
