MEITY Advisory to Social Media Platforms on Obscene & Pornographic Content — UPSC Analysis
๐ฐ Context
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an advisory directing social media intermediaries to:
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Proactively detect and remove obscene, pornographic, vulgar, sexually explicit, and paedophilic content
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Use automated technology tools for content moderation
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Ensure compliance with the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021
Large platforms (with over 50 lakh users) have been asked to deploy technology-based measures to identify and take down such objectionable content.
The advisory follows Supreme Court observations urging the government to curb rising online obscenity and harmful content.
๐งพ Legal Basis
The advisory draws authority from:
✔️ IT Act, 2000
✔️ IT (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
Platforms must ensure users do not:
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Host / upload / publish / transmit
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Store / share / display
content that is:
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obscene or pornographic
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sexually explicit or vulgar
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harmful to children
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paedophilic
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unlawful under any prevailing law
Non-compliance may lead to legal penalties and loss of safe-harbour protection.
๐ง Why the Advisory Now?
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Increasing circulation of explicit & harmful content online
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Gaps in proactive moderation by large platforms
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Supreme Court push for stronger enforcement
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Rise in OTT-style erotica platforms (many blocked earlier)
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Child safety & digital ethics concerns
๐งฉ Key Features of the Advisory
๐ 1. Proactive Moderation Mandated
Platforms must detect and remove objectionable content without waiting for user complaints.
๐ 2. Automated Detection Required
Especially for large platforms (50 lakh+ users).
๐ 3. Stronger Accountability
Failure to comply = possible regulatory action.
๐ 4. Protection of Children & Public Morality
Aligned with:
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Child protection norms
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Women & child safety policies
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Digital ethics framework
๐️ Governance & Policy Significance (For UPSC Mains)
GS-2 — Governance, Regulation & Accountability
Themes involved:
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Regulation of digital intermediaries
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Balancing free speech vs public morality
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Platform accountability & algorithmic governance
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Role of Supreme Court in policy nudges
⚖️ Ethical & Constitutional Dimensions
✔️ Arguments in Favour
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Protects minors & vulnerable users
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Prevents objectification & exploitation
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Supports digital well-being
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Strengthens cyber safety ecosystem
⚠️ Concerns & Challenges
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Over-blocking & censorship risks
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Subjectivity in defining “obscenity”
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Algorithmic bias in automated moderation
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Impacts artistic & creative expression
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Potential chilling effect on speech
Balancing individual liberty and societal morality remains a policy challenge.
๐ Relevance for UPSC Prelims
Important areas:
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IT Act, 2000
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Safe-harbour principle
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IT Rules, 2021
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Role of intermediaries
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Supreme Court directions on obscenity
๐ Mains Answer Writing Pointers
You may structure answers around:
๐ Way Forward — Policy Suggestions
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Clearer definition of objectionable content
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Independent oversight & review mechanisms
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Transparency in automated moderation
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Stronger grievance redressal framework
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Digital literacy & awareness programs
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Collaboration with civil society & experts
๐ง Practice Questions
Mains (10 marks)
“Regulating online obscenity requires a balance between safeguarding social morality and protecting freedom of expression.” Discuss in the context of IT Rules, 2021.
Prelims-Type Statement Question
Consider the following statements:
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Under the IT Rules, 2021, intermediaries must make reasonable efforts to prevent users from sharing obscene and sexually explicit content.
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Loss of safe-harbour protection may occur if a platform fails to comply with regulatory advisories.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
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