OTT players apprehensive as Govt tightens rules on curated content

Legal experts say notifying rules for OTTs under IT Act may not be tenable; industry players seek clarity on oversight mechanism

The dream run for online curated content is over. The government today announced a three-stage regulatory regime for co­n­trolling over-the-top (OTT) content.

The regulations include a two-stage, self-regulatory mechanism — one at the company and the other at industry level — followed by a government controlled oversight system under the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry. This will include an inter-departmental committee (consisting of various ministries) that will be the highest call for redressal of any grievance if a com­plainant is dissatisfied with the dec­isions of the self-regulatory bodies.  

The government has only partially accepted the plan, which was hurriedly signed by 17