More trouble for Telegram, govt seeks action against pirated films, OTT content
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a notice to messaging platform Telegram over the alleged widespread circulation of pirated films and OTT
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a notice to messaging platform Telegram over the alleged widespread circulation of pirated films and OTT content on its platform, directing the company to take immediate corrective measures and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days. The Ministry has asked Telegram to act swiftly against channels and groups involved in the unauthorised distribution of copyrighted content, including films and web series available on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
The notice comes amid growing concerns over online piracy and its impact on India's entertainment ecosystem. Read Full Story According to the directive, Telegram has been instructed to implement effective measures to curb the sharing of pirated content and strengthen its mechanisms to prevent the misuse of the platform for copyright infringement. The company has also been asked to furnish a detailed report outlining the steps taken to comply with the ministry's directions within the stipulated 15-day period.
The government's move is aimed at safeguarding India's creator economy and protecting the interests of stakeholders across the media and entertainment industry, including filmmakers, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers, distributors and other rights holders. Online piracy has long been a major challenge for the film and digital streaming industry, with pirated copies of newly released films and web series often surfacing on messaging platforms and other online channels shortly after their release.
Industry bodies have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen enforcement against digital piracy, citing substantial financial losses and its adverse impact on content creators. Following the directives, the message-sharing platform is now expected to respond to the notice and submit its action taken report (ATR) within the 15-day deadline specified by the Ministry. Ends
The BriefWire