Government Plans Regulations to Curb Vulgar Language on OTT Platforms and Social Media

The Indian government has informed the Delhi High Court that it intends to establish regulations aimed at curtailing the use of vulgar language on social media and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) submitted a compliance report to the court on August 17, acknowledging the concerns raised in previous court orders.

The court case, triggered by the web series College Romance highlighted the need for rules to oversee content on OTT platforms. The court emphasized the urgency of framing such regulations.

The Delhi High Court acknowledged the government's commitment to addressing the issue and subsequently disposed of the case, considering the government's intention to formulate a policy as adequate compliance with the court's orders.

The compliance report stated that MeitY regularly considers the court's observations to enhance the safety of social media platforms and intermediaries by regulating the use of inappropriate language.

The case centered around the web series College Romance available on platforms like SonyLiv, YouTube, and TVFPlay. Legal actions were initiated in 2019, leading to an order for the Delhi Police to file an FIR against the show's director and actor under the Information Technology Act.

In 2020, an additional sessions judge upheld the order and instructed authorities to register an FIR under relevant IT Act sections. Subsequently, The Viral Fever (TVF) the show's creator, moved the Delhi High Court to contest the matter.

The Delhi High Court supported the lower court's decision but clarified that registering an FIR did not mandate the immediate arrest of the accused. The court strongly criticized the use of vulgar language in public and on social media platforms, particularly highlighting its impact on various age groups.

The court's verdict underscored the influence of online platforms and cautioned against their misuse. It emphasized that explicit content could not be excused by claiming to cater to the preferences of a younger generation.

This development follows the Supreme Court's warning about consequences for posting abusive or vulgar content on social media. Earlier this year, India's Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Thakur, voiced disapproval of streaming explicit content on OTT platforms.

Recent reports also revealed that the government communicated to streaming giants, including Netflix and Disney, the need for independent reviews of content to ensure it aligns with decency standards before being released online.