There is no law that lays down any kind of code for OTT players in respect of their programmes.. The Government is considering a self-regulation code to check violence, pornography, explicit sexual scenes etc being depicted in webseries or even films released on this platform. There is no regulatory body such as the Censor Board to give prior approval to movies. TV content is governed by the Cable and TV Network (Regulation) Act, 1995 which spells out a programming code. This comes within the purview of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. OTTs are, however, totally unregulated. Even movies released here do not require a censor board certificate. OTT content is not within the purview of I&B ministry. It is seen by the ministry of electronics and IT. These OTT programmes are governed by Sec.67, 67 A and 67 B of the IT Act. It aims at punishing anybody who publishes or transmits in the electronic form any material that contains sexually explicit acts etc. The Act applies to the whole of Internet. The matter becomes criminal if an FIR is filed. The non-OTT content comes under the civil laws. It is a grey area in law.

Instead of the role of the Government, it is felt the industry players must bring about self-regulation by observing a programming code. It is suggested that content of OTT must be assigned to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.