Supreme Court Calls for Stricter Rules on Online Content to Balance Freedom and Safety
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In a bid to strike a balance between freedom of expression and online safety, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to draft new guidelines within four weeks to regulate user-generated content on online platforms. The court emphasized the need for an effective mechanism to prevent abuse and ensure accountability for content uploaded on social media and video sharing sites. The court's directive comes in response to a petition filed by podcaster Ranveer Gautam Allahbadia, who sought protection from multiple cases over his vulgar remarks on a YouTube show. The court had earlier asked the Centre to provide guidelines to regulate obscene and undignified speech. During a related hearing, the court also proposed stronger age-verification mechanisms, including Aadhaar-based gating, before explicit or sensitive content becomes viewable on digital platforms. The court questioned the adequacy of current one-line disclaimers that viewers barely register before objectionable material starts playing. The Centre's note proposes classifying online curated content under four heads - U rating for content suitable for all children, U/A rating for three categories, and A rating for strictly adult content. The court said videos with adult content should verify user age through Aadhaar or PAN card before opening, besides having a disclaimer. The court assured that guidelines will be applied on a trial basis and if provisions are used to gag individuals, the court will withhold approval. The Centre's approach to regulate online content has been welcomed by some, but others have raised concerns about the potential impact on freedom of expression. The court's directive has reopened the fundamental tension in content moderation, with both tech companies and authorities struggling to prevent abuse on online platforms. The court's call for stricter rules on online content is a step towards creating a safer and more responsible digital ecosystem.
