The Union government has issued a strong advisory to social media and digital platform companies, directing them to strictly avoid hosting obscene, vulgar, or sexually explicit content that violates Indian laws and societal norms.
What the Government Said
In its communication, the Centre reminded tech companies that they are legally responsible for the content hosted on their platforms. It stressed that material which is obscene, indecent, or harmful—especially content accessible to children—must be removed proactively.
The government underlined that freedom of expression does not extend to content that violates public decency, morality, or existing laws.
Laws and Rules Cited
The advisory refers to provisions under:
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Information Technology Act
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IT Rules, 2021
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Laws related to obscenity, child safety, and public order
Platforms were told to ensure robust content moderation mechanisms, quick grievance redressal, and compliance with takedown requests.
Rising Concerns
The warning comes amid growing concerns over:
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Easy availability of explicit content online
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Use of social media to circulate vulgar reels and videos
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Exposure of minors to inappropriate material
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Monetisation of obscene content through digital platforms
Officials noted that repeated violations could invite penalties, loss of safe harbour protection, or legal action.
Responsibility of Platforms
The Centre made it clear that companies cannot take shelter under the argument of being “mere intermediaries” if they:
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Knowingly allow prohibited content
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Fail to act after receiving complaints
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Do not enforce their own content policies
Message to Users
Along with platforms, users were also reminded to act responsibly while creating and sharing content, as uploading obscene material is punishable under Indian law.
What Lies Ahead
The government is expected to:
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Increase monitoring of online platforms
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Hold regular compliance reviews
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Tighten enforcement where violations persist
Conclusion
The Centre’s advisory signals a firmer regulatory stance on digital content governance, making it clear that online platforms must balance free expression with legal accountability and social responsibility.
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