Parmita Uniyal
New Delhi: Over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+Hotstar would need to self-classify movies, documentaries or web series into five age-based categories including adult (A) and unrestricted public exhibition (U) before streaming them, Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has stated.
“The OTT platforms, called as the publishers of online curated content in the rules, would self-classify the content into five age based categories- U (Universal), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult). Platforms would be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher, and reliable age verification mechanisms for content classified as A,” said the press note on the new rules.
The rules notified by the government on Thursday require the OTT service providers to prominently display the classification rating specific to each content or programme together with a content descriptor informing the user about the nature of the content.
They would also need to advise the viewers about the nature of the content at the beginning of every programme so that the user could take informed decision on watching a programme.
As OTTs offer all kinds of contents including suitable for adults only, even a minor with access to a smartphone could watch inappropriate contents. There have been widespread debates about this with a section of experts suggesting regulation of content on such platforms.
Civil Society, film makers, political leaders, trade organizations and associations have all voiced their concerns around this and demanded government intervention. They suggested creating an appropriate institutional mechanism for it.
“The government also received many complaints from civil society and parents requesting interventions. There were many court proceedings in the Supreme Court and High Courts, where courts also urged the Government to take suitable measures.
“Since the matter relates to digital platforms, therefore, a conscious decision was taken that issues relating to digital media and OTT and other creative programmes on Internet shall be administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting but the overall architecture shall be under the Information Technology Act, which governs digital platforms,” a government release noted.