Supreme Court Urges Government to Regulate Obscene Content on Social Media, OTT Platforms

Patna: The Supreme Court of India has called on the central government to take immediate action to regulate obscene content on social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The court’s direction came after growing concerns over explicit material being widely accessible on digital platforms, which may have adverse effects on public decency and morals.

“The rise of obscene content on digital platforms raises concerns about public decency. While we value free expression, platforms must ensure their content meets acceptable standards, especially for family audiences. We should not mistake vulgarity for creativity. The government is urged to implement effective regulatory measures to protect public sensibilities and ensure responsible content classification.” Justice Surya Kant, Supreme Court of India, said.

In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory, urging OTT platforms to strictly adhere to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The advisory highlights the importance of classifying content based on age and implementing mechanisms to restrict adult content.

The court’s intervention signals a broader effort to regulate digital content in a way that balances public sensibilities with the need for free expression. It underscores the growing importance of establishing clear guidelines to ensure the responsible consumption of digitamedia in India.