New Delhi, December 18: The Centre has clarified that content on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and JioStar (Jio+Hotstar) will not fall under the purview of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Replying to questions in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, December 17, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan asserted that while theatrical releases remain strictly under the Cinematograph Act of 1952, digital streaming services will continue to be governed by the IT Rules of 2021. It simply means the censor board or CBFC cannot indulge in OTT censorship.

The announcement comes amid growing public discussion regarding the regulation of digital content. The Minister said that the IT Rules 2021 outline a three-tier institutional mechanism for ensuring adherence to content-related norms and for addressing public grievances. ‘Haal’ Censorship Row: Kerala High Court Reserves Verdict in Malayalam Film Certification Appeal.

The 3-Tier Oversight Mechanism for OTT Content

To ensure digital media ethics are upheld, the government utilizes a tiered approach to handle public complaints and content monitoring:

  • Level I: Self-Regulation by Publishers – OTT platforms must establish their own internal systems to address grievances directly.

  • Level II: Self-Regulation by Industry Bodies – Platforms are overseen by independent bodies formed by the publishers themselves.

  • Level III: Government Oversight – An inter-departmental committee serves as the final oversight mechanism to ensure compliance with the "Code of Ethics."

IT Rules vs. Cinematograph Act

The distinction between cinema and streaming is rooted in different legislative acts. The CBFC is a statutory body focused on the "examination and certification of films for public exhibition," typically in theaters. ‘Big Win for Freedom’: Google Admits Censorship Under Joe Biden Administration, Commits To Remove Bans of YouTube Accounts of Americans Censored for Political Speech; Elon Musk Says ‘Well Done’.

In contrast, OTT content is regulated under Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules mandate that platforms:

  • Perform age-based classification (e.g., U, U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A).

  • Avoid publishing any content strictly prohibited by Indian law.

  • Implement parental locks for content rated U/A 13+ or higher.

Strict Action Against Obscene Content

During the parliamentary session, Dr Murugan further revealed that the government has taken decisive action against platforms violating these standards. To date, access to 43 OTT platforms has been disabled in India for displaying obscene or unlawful content. He noted that all grievances received by the Ministry are systematically forwarded to the respective platforms for immediate action under the Level-I mechanism, ensuring that the primary responsibility for content moderation remains with the creators.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2025 11:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).