MUMBAI: India's ministry of  information and broadcasting has issued a comprehensive advisory to over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms following mounting complaints about inappropriate content from members of parliament, statutory organisations and public grievances.

The ministry has underscored that streaming platforms must rigorously comply with the Code of Ethics delineated in the Information Technology Rules of 2021. These regulations mandate precise age-appropriate content classification and robust access controls to prevent children from accessing adult-rated material.

In a significant development, self-regulatory bodies overseeing these platforms have been explicitly instructed to take proactive measures against violations. The advisory drew attention to several stringent laws, including the Indecent Representation of Women Act, the newly enacted Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Information Technology Act, which collectively make the publication of obscene or pornographic content a punishable offence.

The directive particularly emphasised the implementation of a more rigorous age-based content classification system and reminded platforms of the three-tier grievance redressal mechanism established under the IT Rules. This mechanism has been designed to address and resolve complaints related to content violations effectively.

The ministry's intervention comes at a time when there is increasing public discourse about the alleged proliferation of objectionable content across streaming platforms and social media. The move signals a tightening of regulatory oversight in India's rapidly expanding digital entertainment sector.

The advisory serves as a stark reminder to OTT platforms that they must exercise heightened discretion and due diligence while publishing content, ensuring it aligns with both legal requirements and ethical standards prescribed under Indian law.