The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, social media platforms, and OTT (Over The Top) platforms while hearing a petition seeking a ban on the streaming of obscene content online. The Court underlined that OTT and social media platforms bear a significant “social responsibility” to address concerns related to objectionable material being made available to the public.
A bench of the Supreme Court, while considering the plea, observed, “The petition raises important allegations regarding objectionable, obscene and indecent content on OTT platforms and social media.”
The petition before the Court has urged the establishment of a National Content Control Authority tasked with monitoring online content and framing stringent guidelines to curb the spread of obscene material across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Netflix, and others.
During the proceedings, the Centre informed the Court that certain regulatory frameworks are already operational and that additional measures are being considered to enhance oversight over digital content.
Taking note of the Centre’s submission, the Court clarified that it does not intend to encroach upon either the executive’s policymaking domain or the judiciary’s functions. However, it stressed the importance of ensuring that the platforms fulfil their obligations towards maintaining content standards in line with societal values.
