Action Against Obscene Content On OTT Platform : DPCGC
The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) recently recommended punitive action on an OTT platform, invoking the Information Technology Rules (2021).
- The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory body for online curated content providers (OCCPs) in India, has taken action against the Over-the-Top (OTT) platform ULLU for streaming explicit and obscene content.
- Headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice A K Sikri, the council issued an order demanding the removal of such content within 15 days, citing violations of the Information Technology Rules (2021) and complaints raised by a dissatisfied viewer.
Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC):
- It is an independent self-regulatory body for Online Curated Content (OCC) providers.
- It was set up under the aegis of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
- DPCGC has been recognised and registered by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting as Level II Self-Regulatory Body for publishers of OCC providers, under Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
- The DPCGC has an Online Curated Content Publishers (OCCP) Council composed of publishers of OCC as members and an independent Grievance Redressal Board [GRB] consisting of a chairperson and six members.
- The GRB will be chaired by a retired Supreme Court/High Court judge, and the members will comprise eminent persons from the media and entertainment industry and experts from various fields, including child rights, minority rights, and media law.
- GRB will oversee and ensure the alignment and adherence to the Code of Ethics by the OCCP Council members.
- It Provide guidance to entities on the Code of Ethics.
- It Address grievances that have not been resolved by the publisher within 15 days.
- It Hear grievances/appeals filed by complainants.
- DPCGC, through the GRB aims to usher in a redressal mechanism which will ensure a balance between addressing viewer complaints and showcasing content in free-speech environment without ad-hoc interventions
