The talks about regulation of OTT is going on stronger than ever. The talks also involved the ministers now and it is a clear indication that there is a new law in the making. More importantly, we can see a bill on OTT regulation in the parliament in the upcoming sessions. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary affairs, L Murugan said this recently and that’s why we are sure that there is a bill in the making.
So, what will be in the bill?
Basically nothing. It will categorise OTT content in a similar fashion that theatrical films have to go through. They will put films in the boxes of Universal, Parental Guidance and Adult.
So does it serve any purpose?
You see, OTT is unlike the theatrical films. The security guards at any theatre can check if the person entering the theatre is an adult or not. Sadly, no such thing can ever exist on OTT. Every child who has access to the internet or computer/TV at home knows how to watch films of his/her choice in secret.
As a society, we like to pretend that this will solve the problem but will it?
The OTT regulation bill as of this moment looks like a formality rather than a solid step.