Supreme Court To Hear Plea Seeking Regulation Of Obscene Content On Social Media And OTT Platforms

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a public interest litigation (PIL) that calls for immediate and stringent regulation of explicit content on social media and OTT platforms.

The court acknowledged the urgency of the issue, observing that the circulation of objectionable material online poses a serious threat to public welfare.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih issued a notice to the Union government after reviewing the petition, which raised alarm over the increasing dissemination of obscene, indecent and sexually explicit content across digital platforms.

The court underlined that the matter involved ‘an issue of important concern’ affecting the broader social fabric.

Digital Giants Brought Into The Fold

In addition to the central government, the Supreme Court served notices to major digital and tech companies, including Netflix, Amazon, Ullu, ALTT, MUBI, Google, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Apple, and Meta.

The move signals the court’s intent to hold not only policymakers but also content distributors accountable.

Legislative Action Urged

Justice Gavai, leading the bench, urged the Centre to consider further legislative measures to address the unchecked spread of obscene content.

He stressed the need for a stronger regulatory framework to manage the growing concerns around online vulgarity and its impact on society.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, informed the court that some regulatory mechanisms are already in place.

He also noted that additional measures were currently under discussion. The court decided to tag this PIL with other similar pending petitions for a consolidated hearing.

Petition Raises Alarming Concerns

Filed by advocate Path Yadav, the PIL argues that the continuous availability of obscene and perverse content  including soft-core adult material, child pornography, and bestiality contributes to rising crimes against women and children.

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It further claims that such content distorts young minds, normalises sexual violence, and promotes unhealthy attitudes towards human relationships.

The petitioners claimed to have submitted multiple representations to authorities but received no effective response.

They accused the government of failing to act decisively despite being fully aware of the issue’s gravity.

Societal And Psychological Impact Highlighted

The plea strongly contended that young individuals, particularly teenagers and children, face increased psychological harm from unregulated exposure to explicit material.

According to the petition, this leads to the objectification of women, a breakdown of moral values, and rising deviant behaviour.

Citing Article 38 of the Indian Constitution, the PIL asserted that the state has a duty to ensure the welfare of its people and maintain social order a goal undermined by the unrestrained spread of obscene content.

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the matter marks a significant step in addressing public concerns about digital content governance.

As the case moves forward, it is likely to spark broader conversations around censorship, digital freedom, and societal responsibility in the age of online media.