Supreme Court to Examine Plea on Regulating Explicit Content on Social Media and OTT Platforms
The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine a petition seeking directions for the government to take immediate and decisive action to regulate explicit content on social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The petition raises concerns over the widespread availability of obscene, objectionable, and inappropriate content that is easily accessible to the public, particularly the youth, through these platforms.
A bench consisting of Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih issued a notice to the Centre, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue and its potential impact on societal values and public safety. The bench observed that the petition deals with a matter of significant public concern regarding the unchecked display of indecent content.
Along with the Union government, the notice has also been issued to various OTT platforms and social media giants, including Netflix, Amazon, Ullu, ALTT, MUBI, Google, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Apple, and Meta. The Supreme Court bench suggested that the government should consider further legislative measures to curb the circulation of harmful content on these platforms.
In response to the petition, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, stated that certain regulations are already in place and that more regulatory measures are under consideration. The court decided to tag the current petition with similar ongoing cases related to the issue.
The public interest litigation (PIL) highlighted the dangers posed by the widespread circulation of explicit content, including child pornography, adult content, and other sexually explicit material. The petition asserts that this unregulated distribution of obscene content has been linked to an increase in crimes against women and children, as well as negative psychological effects on the youth.
The petition, filed through advocate Path Yadav, pointed out that numerous representations and complaints had been submitted to the authorities regarding the issue, but no significant actions had been taken. The petitioners emphasized that the government, despite being aware of the gravity of the situation, had failed to take adequate steps to regulate these platforms.
According to the PIL, the exposure to explicit content contributes to the normalization of sexual violence, the objectification of women, and the distortion of human relationships, particularly among young individuals. The petition stresses that such exposure could lead to long-term psychological harm and a shift in societal perceptions of sexuality.
The petition refers to Article 38 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates the government to ensure the welfare of its citizens and protect social order. The petitioners argue that the uncontrolled streaming of explicit content on social media and OTT platforms is eroding social values and contributing to a rise in sexual crimes, particularly against women and children.
As the matter progresses, the Supreme Court’s intervention could prompt the government to take stronger measures to ensure that explicit content is more effectively regulated, protecting vulnerable sections of society, particularly children and teenagers, from harmful psychological impacts.
