Madras High Court's Madurai Bench Issues Orders Over PIL Seeking OTT Regulation

The Public Interest Litigation filed by Adishivam, a resident of Sivagangai district's Tiruppuvanam claimed the movies and web series aired on OTT contain certain scenes, content and dialogues "that violate morals, ethics and culture". Judges Subramanian, Victoria Gowri bench that heard the PIL on Wednesday, ordered the Union Home Secretary, Union Telecommunication Department Secretary, Union Information Technology Department Secretary to respond over the PIL on the next hearing.

Madurai/ Chennai (Tamil Nadu): The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has ordered the Union Home Secretary and others to respond over a Public Interest Litigation seeking an order to regulate, censor and release movies and web series on over the top (OTT) platforms.

The PIL filed by Adishivam, a resident of Sivagangai district's Tiruppuvanam demanded that the Central Board of Film Certification censor under the Film Censor Act any scenes or dialogues that violate morals, ethics and culture.

The petitioner claimed that movies and web series aired on OTT platform contain violence, drug use, obscenity, crime scenes against women and children besides separatist sentiments, anti-national views etc.

Data indicate that 2.4 billion people used the OTT platform in 2018 and it will rise to 4.2 billion by 2027. The PIL said that young generation is exposed to many physical and psychological effects due to the programs aired on the OTT platform.

Despite petitioning the authorities to take appropriate action in this regard, no action has been taken, it added.

“Therefore, an order should be issued to censor and regulate the movies, web serials, serials etc released on the OTT platform," said petitioner further said.

Judges Subramanian, Victoria Gowri bench that heard the PIL on Wednesday, ordered the Union Home Secretary, Union Telecommunication Department Secretary, Union Information Technology Department Secretary to respond and adjourned the case hearing.

Trai To Expedite Satellite Spectrum Pricing, Regulation To Wait

Significantly, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman RC Lahoti on Wednesday said that they will expedite the process for satellite spectrum pricing before taking up the issue of regulation for over-the-top apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Meet.
Lahoti said that OTT was not part of the paper Service Authorisation Framework under Telecommunications Act 2023) and is being discussed separately.