In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday entertained a PIL seeking action against OTT platforms accused of spreading obscene and objectionable content. Issuing notices to platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Alt Balaji, the court called for greater scrutiny.
Justice B.R. Gavai, while hearing the matter, asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to consider “something legislative” to regulate OTT content more stringently.
Mehta conceded that while content marked as “18+” attempts to limit access, it often falls short in protecting children, who are increasingly tech-savvy. “There is some regulation in place, and more is in contemplation,” he said, highlighting that certain material is so graphic that it defies public decency standards.
The court acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, stating that the PIL raises “important concerns regarding objectionable, obscene and indecent content,” and emphasized that OTT platforms must shoulder social responsibility.
