Government Gets Strict on Online Pornography, Content Must Be Removed Within 24 Hours

The Ministry of Electronics and IT states that under the new IT rules, it is mandatory to promptly remove online pornography and harmful content.

Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav informed Parliament that under the new IT rules, internet media platforms must remove any content within 24 hours that, at first glance, depicts the private parts of an individual or shows a person completely or partially nude, or engages in sexual activity.

If a complainant is not satisfied with the action taken by the grievance officer of the internet media company on their complaint, they can also go to the appeals committee.

The IT Act 2000 has provisions for punishment for displaying obscene content electronically. Under the Act, if an internet media company is found unable to prevent obscene content on its platform, the exemptions they receive will be terminated.

If a platform provides messaging services, it must be capable of tracing the origin of the original message so that the creator of messages related to rape, sexual harassment, or sexual depiction can be easily identified.

Information provided to Parliament by Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav

• ‘The IT Act includes provisions for punishment for displaying obscene content electronically.’

According to the Ministry, a code of conduct has been set for OTT platforms or curated online publishers under the IT rules. Under this code, it is mandatory for OTT platforms to classify content into specified age and appropriate categories, and to restrict children’s access to inappropriate content.

It is worth noting that complaints are frequently received against the easy availability of pornographic content on internet media.