Government of India has set a new “classification rating” to describe content and advise discretion for viewers of films and other entertainment sources including TV shows that are streamed on OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, and more. It also released a set of new guidelines to regulate social media, online streaming, as it plans to introduce a change in legislation to assert more control over powerful Big Tech companies.
This comes during a time when OTT platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have faced criticisms and complaints in India for allegedly showing “obscene content.”
Briefing the media about the development, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that though the government welcomes criticism and the right to dissent, “but it is very important for the users of social media to have a forum to raise their grievance against the misuse of social media.”
The OTT platforms are supposed to self-classify the content into five categories – U (universal), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (adult). Platforms would also be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher, and reliable age verification mechanisms for content classified as ‘A’.
Publishers of news on digital media would be required to implement Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, thereby providing a level playing field between the offline (Print/ TV) and digital media.
“There’ll be two categories, intermediary which can be social media
intermediary and significant social media intermediary. They will have to have
a grievance redressal mechanism, you will also have to name a grievance officer
who shall register the grievance within 24 hours and disposal in 15 days,” he
said.
“If there are complaints against the dignity of users, particularly women –
about exposed private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or
impersonation etc – they will be required to remove that within 24 hrs after a
complaint is made. This is designed to respect the dignity of women,” he added.
Prasad said that significant social media has to do three things, “First, they will have to have a chief compliance officer residing in India responsible for ensuring compliance of the act and the rules. Second is a nodal contact person who should reside in India for 24X7 coordination with law enforcement agencies. Also, they have to appoint a resident grievance officer who shall perform the grievance redressal mechanism as indicated. They also will have to publish a monthly report about the number of complaints received and the status of redressal,” he stated.
Talking about OTT platforms, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the government has decided to have a three-stair mechanism for OTT platforms.
“OTT and digital news media will have to disclose their details. We are not mandating registration, we are seeking information. There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category,” he said.
