Govt Blocks 43 OTT Platforms for Obscenity Under New Accountability Rules; However OTT Content to Remain Outside Censor Board Purview

New Delhi, December 17, 2025: In a landmark clarification regarding the regulation of digital entertainment, the Union Government has reaffirmed that Over-the-Top (OTT) content will continue to remain outside the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Instead, the government is intensifying its enforcement of a “Safe, Trusted, and Accountable” internet through a robust three-tier institutional mechanism under the IT Rules 2021.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, addressed the growing concerns over online obscenity, misinformation, and cyber offences. He revealed that the government has already disabled public access to 43 OTT platforms in India for hosting obscene content, signaling that the lack of traditional “censorship” does not mean a lack of accountability.

Why OTT Stays Outside CBFC Jurisdiction

Unlike theatrical films governed by the Cinematograph Act of 1952, OTT platforms operate under a distinct legal framework. The CBFC’s mandate is strictly limited to certifying films for public exhibition in cinemas. For the digital space, the government has opted for a “soft-touch” regulatory approach that balances creative freedom with user safety.

“The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring an internet free from unlawful content, particularly vulgar and obscene material, while supporting the growth of the creative economy,” Dr. Murugan stated.

The Three-Tier Institutional Mechanism

To ensure adherence to the Code of Ethics without the need for a pre-certification board like the CBFC, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, established a three-tiered grievance redressal structure:

• Level I: Self-regulation by Publishers: OTT platforms must appoint a dedicated Grievance Officer based in India to address user complaints within 15 days.
• Level II: Self-regulation by Self-Regulating Bodies: Platforms are members of independent bodies (headed by a retired judge or eminent person) that oversee appeals if a user is dissatisfied with the platform’s initial response.
• Level III: Oversight Mechanism: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting maintains an Inter-Departmental Committee to provide a final layer of government oversight and take action against repeat offenders.

Global Outreach and “Soft Power”

The government’s decision to keep OTT outside the CBFC’s purview is also seen as a strategic move to foster the sector’s role as a driver of India’s soft power. As per the FICCI-EY Media & Entertainment Industry Report 2025, video subscription revenues grew by 11% in 2024, reaching ₹9,200 crore, with nearly 12 crore paying subscribers.

Prasar Bharati’s own WAVES OTT has furthered this global cultural outreach, amassing over 80 lakh downloads in its debut year by making Indian heritage and regional content accessible worldwide.

Strict Accountability for Social Media

While OTT follows a tiered self-regulation model, Social Media giants with over 50 lakh users face even stricter mandates. They are now legally obligated to:

• Remove nudity or privacy violations within 24 hours.
• Appoint local compliance officers residing in India.
• Identify the “first originator” of misinformation when required by law enforcement.

Failure to comply with these rules results in platforms losing their “Safe Harbour” protection, making them liable for prosecution under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for hosting harmful content.

Sources – (Govt Press Release as Below)

1. From Social Media to OTT Platforms: Government Enforces Strict Accountability to Curb Obscenity, Misinformation and Cyber Offences Online
2. OTT Content to Remain Outside CBFC Jurisdiction; Three-Tier Institutional Mechanism under IT Rules in Place
3. OTT Sector Emerges as Key Driver of India’s Soft Power and Global Cultural Outreach