Following Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that took place on April 22, 2025, the Union Government has asked all the OTT platforms and streaming platforms to immediately remove the content originating from Pakistan — including shows, films, songs and podcasts — “in the interest of national security”.
Govt. Asks OTT Platforms To Remove Pakistani Content
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory on Thursday, asking all the OTT platforms to stop hosting content that originates in Pakistan. “In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,” the advisory said.
It further stated, “Several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross-border linkages with Pakistan-based State and non-State actors. Recently, on 22.04.2025, the terrorist attack in Pahalgam led to the killing of several Indians, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to a number of others.”
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Code Of Ethics For OTT Platforms
The advisory cites the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules of 2021. This code says that platforms should think carefully about the content they show and be cautious when deciding what to publish.
“Further, rule 3(1)(b) of Part-II of the IT Rules, 2021, provides that intermediaries shall make reasonable efforts by itself, and to cause the users of its computer resource to not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any information that inter-alia ‘threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order.’,” The advisory pointed out.
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“We have received the request and are working to comply in accordance with the law,” a Spotify spokesperson told The Hindu. Platforms like Spotify, Gaana, and YouTube Music feature artists like Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Abida Parveen, Ali Sethi, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
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