The Indian government is set to introduce comprehensive guidelines that formally define what constitutes “obscenity” in online content, aiming to bring clarity to an area currently governed by broad and often subjective legal provisions. Officials familiar with the matter say the proposal is in its advanced stages and could be released for public consultation soon.

🔹 Push Comes Amid Rising Complaints Over Explicit and Harmful Material

The decision follows an increase in public complaints regarding sexually explicit, exploitative, or morally contentious content on social media, streaming platforms, and short-video apps. Regulators argue that existing definitions under the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code are outdated for today’s digital ecosystem, where content spreads rapidly and across multiple formats.

🔹 Guidelines Expected to Cover Social Media, OTT, and Online Publishers

The proposed framework is likely to apply to a broad range of digital services — including social media platforms, messaging apps, OTT streaming services, gaming platforms, and independent online publishers. The aim is to create uniform standards that content moderators and automated systems can follow while handling user-generated material.

🔹 Government Says Objective Is Clarity, Not Censorship

Officials stress that the new rules are not meant to curtail artistic expression or legitimate online speech. Instead, they aim to define clear boundaries to help both platforms and law-enforcement agencies take consistent action. By establishing what falls under “obscenity,” the Centre hopes to eliminate ambiguity that has led to inconsistent enforcement and legal disputes.

🔹 Industry Concerns: Fear of Overreach and Subjective Enforcement

Digital rights groups and industry stakeholders have expressed concerns that the definition of obscenity may be too broad, potentially affecting creative content on OTT platforms and restricting users’ freedom of expression. They argue that evolving social norms and diverse cultural values make rigid definitions risky. The government has reportedly invited feedback from civil society, legal experts, and technology firms to mitigate these concerns.

🔹 What Happens Next?

A draft of the guidelines is expected to be released shortly, followed by a structured consultation process. Once finalized, the rules may be integrated into the upcoming revisions of the Information Technology Rules or be issued as a standalone policy document. Platforms could face stricter compliance requirements, including proactive filtering and enhanced reporting mechanisms.