What is O.T.T.? You must have wondered about this term at some point in your life while bing watching your favourite series or while watching the most-awaited movie!
O.T.T. stands for “over the top” it means you can watch any series, documentaries, reality show or movies available on the platform you are using at any time. Yes! Watching anytime means just minutes or decades after its release.
Do you know the total number of Social Media users in India? It’s mind-blowing!
1. WhatsApp – 53 crore users
2. YouTube – 45 crore users
3. Facebook – 41 crore users
4. Instagram – 21 crore users
5. Twitter – 1.75 crore users
Since their advent in India O.T.T. and Social Media platforms has been in news for all the wrong reasons many times.
The crucial topic of discussion was whether the Indian crowd is smart enough to absorb such deep and true to life scenes which may depict violence, hate, sexual activity, drugs as a part of the story or is there a need to add guidelines for the uninterrupted functioning of the O.T.T. and Social Media platforms in India.
Well after the Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice minster Ravi Shankar Prasad’s briefing with the press the government has now made up its mind to tame the untamed!
I’m his brief union cabinet minister and lawyer Ravi Shankar Prasad told the press that in past few years the O.T.T. platforms and the internet has become the new hub for terrorism and terror organisations.
The minster also mentioned the Prajwala Case after which the government asked him to frame guidelines for blocking and intercepting rape videos, child pornography, photos, slides, videos and websites containing it.
The key bites of the new guidelines for social media are –
1. If there is a complaint by an individual regarding their dignity like nudity, sexual act, the videos or images must be removed in 24 hours of circulation.
2. The social media platforms when asked by the court must reply about the interactions between an Indian and an anti-national foreign post.
3. All kind of unlawful information must be banned. This include any information that will affect the integrity, sovereignty and dignity of India.
4. Before blocking your account the social media and O.T.T platforms must give you reasons and seek your input if you think otherwise than will act accordingly.
5. The new rules for governing social media will be completely implemented within three months.
Anyways blaming the internet completely is not the answer. It’s the users who need search or indulge with the content in the right manner. Internet right now provides job to billions of people around globe, managing companies. Through Facebook people in the USA raised their voice against colour discrimination that led to one of biggest protest (Black lives Matter!) in America’s history. You can make Social Media a very happy place or a very sad place for you, Choose wisely!
Beyond The Lines 