50 OTT platforms disabled for displaying obscene content, other violations: Govt

Published 22 July 2026 · politics

The government has disabled 50 OTT platforms, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vaishnaw, in a written response to member Sambit Patra, said, “The government

The government has disabled 50 OTT platforms, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vaishnaw, in a written response to member Sambit Patra, said, “The government has disabled 50 OTT platforms for public access in India over the last two years for displaying obscene content and violating Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the BNS, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.” In a written reply to Lok Sabha Member Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan said that the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules have been notified to put in place an institutional mechanism for publishers of current affairs on digital media and OTT platforms.

Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act provides for notifying the intermediaries to remove/disable access to unlawful content. On government policies for ensuring an open, safe, trusted, and accountable internet for its users, including children, Mr. Vaishnaw said recent amendments to the IT Rules require social media platforms and other intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours of the receipt of a court order or reasoned intimation by the government or its agency. Legal framework The Digital Personal Data Protection Act establishes the legal framework to regulate processing of digital personal data and safeguard children’s privacy online, while the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act addresses digital addiction and financial harm among youth.

Vaishnaw said the Economic Survey 2025-26 mentions digital addiction as a serious public health challenge affecting India’s children and youth, particularly those aged 15-29. The government is implementing a project on ‘Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA)’ to develop human resources in Information Security and build general awareness on various aspects of cyber hygiene and cyber security among the masses. So far, 6,650 workshops have been conducted across the country covering over 11.37 lakh participants, he said. Multilingual handbooks, short videos, posters, brochures, cartoon stories for children, etc. have also been published and disseminated. CERT-In regularly shares safety tips, awareness posters, infographics and videos on its official websites and social media handles with the aim of sensitising internet users on cyber security attacks and fraud, including online safety measures for children.