Today, On 28th April, The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and OTT platforms like Netflix, stressing, “Netflix etc. too have social responsibility,” while hearing a plea raising concerns over the rise of obscene content on digital platforms.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court requested responses from the Centre and other parties regarding a plea aimed at prohibiting the streaming of sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms.
A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih noted that the petition highlights a significant concern, emphasizing that the matter falls within the purview of the executive or legislature.
Justice Gavai remarked,
“As it is, there are allegations that we are encroaching upon the legislature and executive power,”
The bench urged Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, to take action on the issues raised in the plea. Mehta indicated that some regulations already exist and that additional measures are being considered.
The Court’s order stated,
“The plea raises an important concern with regard to the display of various objectionable, obscene and indecent content on OTT platforms and social media. SG says plea shall not be taken in any adverse way. It is submitted that some of the content is perverse…SG submits some regulations are in existence and some more being contemplated. Thus, we issue notice to respondents,
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain represented the petitioners, who are seeking the establishment of a National Content Control Authority to oversee and prohibit sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms.
Advocate Jain stated,
“This is happening without any checks. I have also provided a complete list with timestamps detailing what is being shown without any scrutiny on the social media platforms,”
SG Tushar Mehta responded,
“I am not taking it in any adverse way. My worry is children are exposed to all of this. In some regular programs, the language etc. is such that it is perverted and two men cannot even sit together and see it. The only criteria they have is it is for ’18 plus’ (audience),”
The Court echoed concerns about the exposure of children to inappropriate content.
He remarked,
“Yes, we have seen children being given phones, etc., to keep them busy for some time,”
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The petitioners have requested the Supreme Court to issue clear directions to the Centre to set up a National Content Control Authority. This authority would work to prevent sexually explicit material from being shown on OTT platforms and social media.
The petitioners say that without proper rules, there are now many pages and profiles on social media that share pornographic material openly without any filters or checks. They also claim that several OTT platforms are showing content that contains elements that may lead to child pornography.
Case Title: UDAY MAHURKAR AND ORS. Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 313/2025
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