Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need for stricter regulations on social media and OTT platforms, urging the Parliamentary Standing Committee to prioritize the issue and build societal consensus.
Need for Stricter Laws on Social Media and OTT Platforms
- Cultural Sensitivities: Current laws fail to address India’s distinct cultural values.
- Unregulated Content: Platforms are increasingly used for vulgarity and uncontrolled expression.
- Misinformation and Hate Speech: Lack of oversight enables the spread of fake news and harmful content.
- Accountability Issues: Platforms lack mechanisms to ensure content responsibility.
- Impact on Youth: Exposure to inappropriate content harms societal and individual values.
- Legal Outdatedness: Existing laws are insufficient for evolving digital challenges.
- Global Practices: Aligning with stricter international regulations will enhance accountability.
- Balancing Freedom and Responsibility: Ensures free expression is used responsibly.
Existing Government initiatives to Regulate Social Media and OTT Platforms
- IT Rules, 2021: Mandated grievance redressal, compliance officers, and content moderation.
- Digital India Act, 2024: Proposed to modernize regulations on AI, privacy, and online content.
- Content Classification: Age-based ratings (U, U/A, A) for OTT content.
- Fake News Crackdown: Collaboration with platforms to curb misinformation.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Encouraged alignment with India’s values.
- Parliamentary Oversight: Called for stricter laws and societal consensus.
- Cybercrime Helplines: Reporting channels for online abuse.
- Data Protection Bill: Progress on safeguarding user privacy.
- Self-Regulation: Platforms urged to adopt ethical content codes.
These steps aim to balance accountability, user safety, and freedom of expression.
