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March, 2024
November, 2023
The Bill seeks to consolidate the existing regulations that apply to the broadcasting industry in India under one legislation. While it does not bar the application of Acts such as the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, it does intend to bring OTT broadcasting service operators, digital media platforms and direct-to-home operators under its purview. It defines OTT services as content delivered via the internet, whether on-demand or live while excluding social media unless specified by the government. It requires OTT providers with a substantial number of Indian subscribers to notify the government, although smaller platforms benefit from relaxed compliance measures. The Bill also emphasizes content standards, mandating that all services adhere to established Programme and Advertisement Codes to ensure decency and public order, especially concerning news programs. Regarding accessibility provisions, the Bill requires OTT platforms to implement measures for disabled individuals, including subtitles and audio descriptions. OTT platforms must undergo annual audits and establish grievance mechanisms to address any concerns. The Bill also calls for OTT operators to form Content Evaluation Committees and engage with self-regulatory organizations, all under the oversight of a Broadcast Advisory Council. Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to significant penalties, including fines and potential suspension or cancellation of services for repeated violations.
February, 2021
The Rules provide a framework for regulating various digital platforms, including OTT platforms. These platforms are categorized under "online curated content," which refers to curated catalogues of audio-visual content made available on demand. This includes films, audio-visual programs, documentaries, television programs, serials, podcasts, and other such content, excluding news and current affairs content. Herein, the regulation of OTT platforms is primarily concerned with ensuring compliance with the code of ethics and establishing a grievance redressal mechanism. It specifies that a self-regulating body should address grievances related to the content and convey its decision in the form of guidance or advisory to the publisher which must be communicated to the complainant within fifteen days. It also requires the appointment of a Grievance Redressal Officer to handle grievances related to content.
November, 2020
September, 2020
The recommendations advise against immediate regulatory intervention for OTT services, suggesting reliance on market dynamics while monitoring developments, and defers comprehensive regulation on privacy and security issues until further international clarity, particularly from ITU studies, is achieved.
November, 2018
This consultation paper focuses on the implications of the growth of OTT services, particularly concerning traditional telecom service providers (TSPs) and aims to explore if OTT services should be regulated similarly to TSPs and how any necessary regulatory changes should be implemented. It categorizes OTT services into three types viz., messaging and voice services, application ecosystems linked to social networks and e-commerce, and other non-real-time applications. The paper narrows its focus to regulatory issues and economic concerns related to OTT services that are similar to those provided by TSPs and conducts a comparative analysis of how different countries approach the regulation of OTT services to obtain insights into potential regulatory frameworks and identify best practices that could be adapted to the Indian context. It paper also deliberates on different regulatory approaches to achieve consumer protection and orderly growth of the sector including exploring the relationship between TSPs and OTT players and considering whether changes are needed in the current regulatory framework to ensure fair competition and consumer protection.
March, 2015
