Regulatory body tells OTT platform ULLU to take down ‘obscene’ content: The TL;DR

In its first such order, the newly formed Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) has recommended punitive action for OTT platform ULLU.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | June 27, 2023 10:49 AM IST

2 min read

The DPCGC order pertained to a complaint on the obscene nature of the content being streamed on ULLU. (File photo for representation)

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In its first such order, the newly formed Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) has recommended punitive action for OTT platform ULLU over allegedly obscene content.

The big point: The DGCGC – a registered self-regulatory body for OTT platforms – has “gravely objected” to some of the content on the Hindi-language streaming service ULLU. The council has ordered a take-down of the content within 15 days.

The details: The order comes after a complaint was filed with the DPCGC against ULLU, which stated that some web series on the platform only had obscenity and nudity. The complainant said that such content flouted the law of the land and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Following the grievance, the regulatory body issued a strong advisory to ULLU remove these web series altogether or make edits to the offensive scenes to ensure that they comply with the IT Rules.

FYI: The DPCGC is an independent self-regulatory body for online curated content providers (OCCPs), and is headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice A K Sikri. It was set up in June 2021, and is registered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It was formed as per the provisions of the new IT laws introduced in 2021, which sought to restrict certain kinds of online content.

The response: ULLU has denied all allegations against its content and has insisted that viewership is based on personal discretion. It also cited “freedom of speech and expression” as enshrined in the Constitution. When contacted by The Indian Express, officials from ULLU said they were reviewing the order internally.

Previously: Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur had said in March that OTT platforms have the responsibility of ensuring that “they do not propagate vulgarity and abuse camouflaged as creative expression.” The statements had come in the wake of the Delhi High Court’s criticism of allegedly obscene language in a web series called ‘College Romance’.

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