Contemplating some action to regulate OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon: Centre tells SC

Central government on Tuesday told Supreme Court that it was contemplating "some action" for regulation of over--top (OTT) platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

A bench comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian asked Centre to file its response within six weeks to PIL seeking OTT regulation by an automous body.

At outset, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain said Centre was contemplating some action on issue of regulating OTT platforms. CJI sought details on se actions and asked government to file response in six weeks.

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top court had on October 15, 2020, issued tices to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting over a petition seeking proper board/institution /association for monitoring and manment of content on various OTT/digital media platforms.

“With cinema atres unlikely to open anytime soon in country, OTT/Streaming and different digital media platforms have surely given a way out for filmmakers and artists to release ir content without being worried about getting clearance certificates for ir films and series from censor board,” plea filed by advocates Shashank Shekhar Jha and Apurva Arhatia said.

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law to govern OTT platforms

At present, re is law or automous body to govern, monitor, and man se digital contents, that are available to public at large without any filter or screening, it said.

“Lack of legislation governing OTT/Streaming Platforms are becoming evident with each passing day and every new case that is filed on se grounds. government is facing heat to fill this lacuna with regulations from public and Judiciary; still, relevant government departments have t done anything significant to regularise se OTT/Streaming Platforms,” plea added.

It furr ted that ne of online streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Zee5, and Hotstar have signed self-regulation provided by I&B Ministry since February 2020.

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