Notice to govt on plea seeking censorship for social media videos

A division bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha ordered notice to the Government returnable in three weeks.

The petitioner K Suthan, an advocate, had submitted that there has been a steep increase in the number of those watching videos on YouTube and other streaming services without any regulations.

Pointing out that a registered account is sufficient to start a channel, which provides a platform to upload videos on social media platforms without any restriction or censoring, the petitioner submitted that there are several adult contents which are being uploaded daily without any regulations while mainstream films, produced with huge investments, are mandatorily put through censorship.

He also contended that moderation practices by social media, after watched by millions of people, are not enough and that several vulgar/sexual videos, uploaded online as “short films” are influencing crime against women and children.

Based on this, he sought for a censorship body like the Central Board of Film Certification for online content, whether user-generated or curated. He also sought the court to pass an interim order restraining social media sites like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram and OTT platforms like Netflix, MX Player, Voot and Zee5 from uploading or telecasting videos including short films and web series till the formation of such a censor board.