I&B ministry has addressed 265 grievances around OTT content under IT Rules 2021: Anurag Thakur

“Since the notification of the rules, the ministry has received 265 grievances, which have been addressed in accordance with the laid-down procedure,” I&B minister Anurag Thakur said in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, Thakur had said that 95% of the complaints received by the OTT platforms are settled at the first level of the three-level grievance redressal mechanism.

“There is a three-tier mechanism for complaint redressal, and 95% of the complaints they receive are settled at their own level,” he said at a Times Now Summit in 2021.

The IT Rules 2021, which were notified under the Information Technology Act 2000 on February 25, 2021, include a Code of Ethics to be followed by the OTT platforms.

It also set up a three-tiered system for dealing with complaints about people breaking the code.

It is pertinent to note that the IT Rules 2021 have been challenged by the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and the News Broadcasters and Digital Foundation (NBDA).The Madras and Kerala high courts had granted interim relief to the IBDF and NBDA, respectively.

However, the Supreme Court has stayed further proceedings in the cases involving IT Rules 2021 before the HCs. All the matters connected to the IT Rules are now pending in the apex court.

Under the first level of the three-level grievance redressal mechanism, complaints against OTT content will have to be filed first with the publisher (OTT platform).

If the complainant is not satisfied with the action taken by the OTT platform at the first level, the complaint can be escalated to the second level, which comprises a self-regulatory body (SRB).

The SRB is headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, a high court, or an independent eminent person and is registered with the MIB. Currently, there are two SRBs, one formed by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and the other by the IBDF for OTT content.

The IAMAI’s SRB comprises 21 OTT platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Mini TV, Netflix, ALTBalaji, Apple, BookMyShow Stream, Eros Now, Firework TV, Hoichoi, Hungama, Lionsgate Play, MX Player, ShemarooMe, Ullu, Planet Marathi and aha.

OTT platforms associated with the IBDF’s SRB include Disney+ Hotstar, ZEE5, SonyLIV, Voot, Sun NXT, Discovery+, Discovery+, YuppTV, Manorama Max, and Hayu (NBC Universal).

The central government’s oversight mechanism forms the third and final layer under the IT Rules 2021. The oversight mechanism comprises an authorised officer from the MIB who is not below the rank of joint secretary.

It also includes an Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) consisting of representatives from the MIB, the ministry of women and child development, the ministry of law and justice, the ministry of home affairs, the ministry of electronics and information technology, the ministry of external affairs, and ministry of defence.

The MIB, which is the nodal ministry for regulating OTT content, can also include other ministries and domain experts in the IDC.