MIB Takes Action Against 18 OTT Platforms For Content Violations

The government has taken action against 18 OTT platforms for violating content regulations, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Loganathan Murugan, informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Addressing questions from members of the Upper House concerning digital piracy on OTT platforms, Murugan noted that protocols are in place to monitor ‘OTT materials’

The minister further mentioned that the government has limited influence over the authentication of age-appropriate content on OTT platforms. As a result, self-certification for OTT content has been introduced. Murugan added that parental guidance and self-certification have been implemented to classify content.

"We recently brought the amendment in Cinema Amendment Act 2023 to protect the producers from piracy. In this, we have appointed one nodal officer in the central film board film certification office. In case of grievances, the nodal agents can be approached", the minister explained in regard to the piracy in cinema halls.

Cinema theatre piracy, resulting in unauthorised reproduction of copyrighted content has caused an annual loss of Rs 20,000 crore to the movie business and the OTT industry. 

Regarding OTT piracy, Murugan mentioned that the IT Rules 2021 address copyright and trademark infringement. The ethics code outlines a three-tier mechanism to handle such issues.