SC on Obscene Content: Centre, Netflix, Ullu, YouTube and Others Get Notice, Follow Social Responsibility

In a significant move, the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Ullu, ALTT, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and several other platforms. This action comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding strict regulation of obscene content being streamed on OTT and social media platforms. The PIL seeks a clear directive to the Centre to take necessary steps to curb and prohibit the availability of vulgar and explicit material online.

Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Ullu, ALTT, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and others on a PIL seeking direction to Centre to take appropriate steps to prohibit the streaming of obscene content on OTT and social media platforms. pic.twitter.com/wM32jlkqye

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025

Call for Greater Accountability

The PIL highlights growing concerns over the easy accessibility of objectionable content to minors and the general public. It emphasizes that the unregulated display of such material can have harmful effects on societal values, youth behavior, and public morality. The Supreme Court's notice signals a serious contemplation on holding both content creators and platforms more accountable for what they distribute.

The Court's move is being seen as a reminder that while freedom of expression is vital, platforms must exercise social responsibility and ensure that their content does not cross ethical boundaries. Further hearings in the matter are awaited.

Government's Stand So Far

Previously, the Centre had introduced the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, aiming to regulate digital content and establish grievance redressal mechanisms. However, critics argue that these measures have not been effectively enforced, especially against international OTT giants and rapidly growing social media content. The current notice by the Supreme Court could prompt the government to revisit and tighten these regulations further.

OTT Platforms Under Scrutiny

OTT platforms like Netflix, Ullu, and ALTT, which offer a wide range of web series and movies, have often been criticized for promoting bold and explicit themes without sufficient content filters. With the rise of affordable smartphones and internet access, such content has reached a wider, younger audience, raising alarm among many sections of society.

What Happens Next?

All the parties that received notices are expected to file their responses before the Court. Based on the responses, the Supreme Court may decide to issue further guidelines, demand stricter compliance with existing laws, or even direct the Centre to bring in fresh legislation. The coming months could therefore witness a significant shift in how digital platforms operate in India.