Government also blocked Ullu, ALTBalaji and other OTT based on an obscene content.
In a major step toward bringing censorship in online streaming, the Indian government has blocked various Over-The-Top (OTT) sites, names of which are recognized by the world, such as Ullu and ALTBalaji. This was arrived at after several complaints were aired with regard to airing of obscene and vulgar material in these sites, that was against the standing IT rules and instructions.
Officials said that altogether 19 websites and 10 mobile apps were removed. After communicating with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) gave an order to the internet providers to disallow the websites. The concerned content was reported to be in contravention with Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 that relate to publishing or transmitting an obscene material in an electronic form.
Measures Taken In The Wake of Serious Dissemination
According to the sources in the ministry, in the past, the platforms were cautioned to act in accordance with the IT rules and codes of self-regulation, yet most of them have not responded or persisted to eliminate inappropriate content. Certain sites that were blocked were said to have been sharing content that was nude or sexually explicit in nature and issues which may be detrimental to the youth.
The government has also stressed that the verdict is not to curtail the freedom of creativity, but to uphold the decency of people and to ascertain that material carried out using digital means, has been made in accordance with the Indian provisions. The officials further said that the platforms that were found to have clean and legal content would be allowed to carry on their business as normal.
Social Networks Banned by Name
Though the best known in the list are Ullu and ALTBalaji, some of the least known ones also have been blocked. The complete listing contains websites and applications that were hosting short movies, web-series and other media usually characterized with adult content.
These websites have been faulted of releasing content without adequate warnings, age recommendations or content related ratings. Part of the content was reported to be accessed by underage children worrying both the parents and the regulatory authorities.
Online Content under Fire
This clamp down is being viewed as the extent to which the government is moving to place OTT platforms under tighter control. As the viewership on the internet has ballooned especially after the pandemic struck, the presence of shows that involve adult content has become quite high.
Few politicians, watchdogs, and policymakers have called upon greater levels of responsibility and quality content control involving the internet. This recent blocking order is coming out as a warning to all OTT platforms not to take the content guidelines lightly or be ready to face a heavy punishment.
Industry Reaction
All of the concerned platforms as of yet have not issued an official statement. Industrial players are however keenly observing the effect of such a decision on OTT in India. On the one hand, it is a logical step toward eliminating the possibility of the misuse of digital freedom, but on the other, this filtering could present obstacles on the way of independent authors and streaming beginners.
FAQs
What is the reason behind Ullu and ALTBalaji being blocked by government?
The blocking was on the basis of supposed streaming of obscene and sexually explicit materials that were against the provisions of IT Act and content guidelines.
What constituted the law breached by such platforms?
Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act were found violated on the platforms as they are not supposed to transmit the obscene and sexually explicit material in electronic form as stated in the Information Technology Act.
Is this a life time ban?
The order will go into effect. It may be possible to resume the operation of platforms that follow the rules of the governments and delete the content that can be found objectionable.
Will other OTTs get harmed by it?
The only ones which are in danger are those websites, which do not abide by content regulations and publish an explicit material. Not affected will be the compliant platforms.
Does this count as censorship?
The government made it clear that this is not an act against creativity but on content that may negatively affect the decency of the people or even be watched by children.
So what follows?
The government will further watch the OTT platforms. An elaborate policy or regulatory framework may also come soon that will make accountability work in the digital entertainment arena.
The ruling is another milestone in the regulation on digital media in India. Under closer observation, OTT bigger players might be forced to reconsider their approach to content that might require them to amend the way in which they are doing it to minimize exposure to legal wrath.
