‘Censor Is Coming’? Delhi HC Seeks Centre’s Views On Regulation Of Content On Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime

After a Delhi based NGO, Justice for Rights Foundation filed a petition in the Delhi High Court complaining of vulgarity and obscenity on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar, the court has sought Central government’s answer to the existing guidelines and licensing policies on the regulation of content on such OTT (Over The Top) platforms .

The petition complained of “unregulated, uncertified, sexually explicit, vulgar, profane, and legally restricted content” on the platforms, singling out shows like Sacred Games, Game of Thrones, Vikings, and Spartacus.

The bench consisting of Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajendra Menon and Justice V Kameswar Rao did not issue a formal notice but asked the Central Government to respond within four weeks.

HS Hora, the petition’s lawyer, said that in a previous application filed under the Right to Information Act, the government had divulged that there was no policy on regulating online content.

The matter is set to be heard on February 8, 2019.