Ranveer Allahbadia row: Govt advises OTTs to follow IT rules
What's the story
Amid controversy over influencer Ranveer Allahbadia's (aka BeerBiceps) alleged obscene remarks on the comedy show India's Got Latent, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued an advisory to OTT platforms, urging strict adherence to IT Rules 2021.
This is the second such advisory from MIB in two months, stressing compliance with guidelines for age-based content classification and restrictions on obscene material.
Advisory details
MIB's advisory emphasized stricter adherence to content classification
The MIB's advisory said, "It is advised that the OTT platforms adhere to the various provisions of applicable laws, and the Code of Ethics prescribed under IT Rules, 2021 while publishing content on their platforms."
The ministry also called for "stricter adherence to the age-based classification of content prescribed under the Code of Ethics."
It also asked OTT platforms' self-regulatory bodies to take proactive action against any violations.
Controversy background
Allahbadia's remarks sparked debate on online content regulation
The advisory comes after a controversy over allegedly obscene remarks made by Allahbadia on India's Got Latent, hosted by Samay Raina.
The influencer was slapped with multiple FIRs across states for a comment about parents being intimate.
Even after getting an interim reprieve from arrest by the Supreme Court, he was criticized for his remarks.
The court said, "No one has the license to speak whatever they want against the norms of society in the name of freedom of speech."
Legal framework
Laws governing online content in India
Online content in India is largely regulated by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act of 2000.
Section 294 of BNS targets "lascivious" content that is overly sexual or "appeals to the prurient interest."
Publishing/transmitting such "obscene" content can invite punishment under Section 67 of the IT Act.
For social media platforms, rules like Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 safeguard viewers' interests.
Legal provisions
MIB highlighted provisions of various acts in the notification
The MIB's notification also emphasized the provisions of the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986, Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.
After the Supreme Court questioned the center on Allahbadia's plea to club police cases filed against him, a parliamentary panel asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit a note on existing laws' efficacy in dealing with such cases.