What the new guidelines mean for OTT and social media platforms

The government has announced a slew of fresh guidelines to regulate digital content, including social media and over-the-top (OTT) streaming services, to curb the 'misuse' of these platforms .These platforms have been asked to remove contentious or any content flagged by authorities within 36 hours. Not just this, social media platforms like Twitter and WhatsApp have been asked to identify the originator of the message that authorities find anti-national and against the security and sovereignty of the country. Let us try to understand everything about the government's move under the following subheads.

3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms

OTT platforms such as Netflix, Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video are now under government scrutiny. The OTT apps will also require a forum to handle grievances. These platforms will now have to disclose their details, form a grievance redressal system, and self-classify content as U (universal), 7+, 13+, 16+ and A (adult) categories as part of the 3-stair mechanism formulated by the government. "We have decided to have a 3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms. OTT and digital news media will have to disclose their details. We are not mandating registration, we are seeking information," said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in a press conference with Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

A grievance redressal system in OTT platforms/ digital portals

The OTT platforms will now have to have a self-regulating body, which will be headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge, added Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in a press conference alongside Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
"There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category," he said.

Why new rules for social media and OTT platforms?

In an exclusive interview to India Today, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the tightening of rules governing social media and streaming companies was done to stop fake news. The Centre rolled out new rules in order to curb misuse of social media platforms, as it mandated firms to appoint grievance officers, disclose the first originator of the mischievous information and remove, within 24 hours, content depicting nudity or morphed pictures of women.

Parental lock for content U/1 13+ or higher

Platforms will also be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/1 13+ or higher, and a reliable age verification mechanism for content classified as 'A'.

Monthly compliance reports to be filed by social media platforms

As per the new rules, social media intermediaries have to appoint a grievance officer, who shall register complaints in 24 hours. The grievance redressal official must be resident in India, and monthly compliance reports will have to be filed by social media platforms.

Guidelines for TV,digital media too

Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act must be followed by publishers of news on digital media, thereby providing a level playing field between offline and digital media.