The code, effective 15 August, expects the OTT platforms to comply with all the guidelines in a time-bound manner.
Netflix, Amazon Prime, 13 other OTT platforms sign self-regulation code in India
Mumbai - 07 Sep 2020 20:30 IST
Our Correspondent
Censorship on OTT platforms, or the absence of it, has been a topic of discussion for some time now. Finally leading domestic and international over-the-top (OTT) content providers, also called online curated content providers (OCCPs), operating in India have signed the long-discussed self-regulation code created by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) to govern Indian streaming content.
A total of 15 leading OTT services have signed the self-regulation pact. These are Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Jio Cinema, Zee5, Viacom18, MX Player, ALTBalaji, Arre, Eros Now, Hoichoi, Hungama, Shemaroo Me, Discovery Plus and Flickstree. Only SonyLIV among the major players is yet to sign.
This is a significant development as there has been a growing demand from some quarters for the need to regulate content being hosted and streamed by various OCCPs.
The code includes a framework for age classification, content descriptions for various titles, and access control tools. As signatories to the code, each platform will have to establish a consumer complaints department and/or an internal committee along with an advisory panel to deal with complaints, appeals and escalations of all kinds.
The advisory panel will have a minimum of three members, including an independent external adviser and two senior executives of the respective OCCP.
The code, effective 15 August, allows OCCPs to comply with all the guidelines in a time-bound manner.
"With the framework for age classification, content description and parental controls in combination with a grievance redress system, we have made it easier for consumers to make the right viewing decisions for themselves and their families," Tarun Katial, who chairs IAMAI's digital entertainment committee, said in a statement to the Press Trust of India news agency.
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Indian cinema ALTBalaji Amazon Prime Video Disney+ Hotstar Eros Now Hoichoi Hungama Play Jio Cinema MX Player Netflix ShemarooMe Box Office SonyLIV Zee5