Government Issues Advisory to Ban All Pakistan-Origin Content on OTT Platforms Citing National Security Concerns
In a major development reflecting the Indian government’s tightened stance on national security, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) issued a formal advisory on May 8, instructing all OTT platforms, digital streaming services, and online intermediaries operating in India to immediately remove and cease the dissemination of content originating from Pakistan.
The advisor, prompted by concerns over national security, public order, and India’s strategic interests, urges these platforms to take prompt action to take down any content produced in or by entities affiliated with Pakistan. This sweeping directive applies to a wide range of digital content, including web series, films, music videos, songs, audio podcasts, and other digital media formats, whether offered as part of paid subscriptions or free streaming services.
Legal Basis: IT Rules, 2021
The ministry cited the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, as the legal framework supporting the advisory. Under these rules, digital publishers and streaming platforms are obligated to ensure that content shared on their platforms does not threaten India’s sovereignty, unity, integrity, or foreign relations, nor incite hostility or disrupt public order.
The advisory reiterates that platforms must not publish or host any content that undermines national interests or security, especially in light of the volatile geopolitical environment and increasing threats from cross-border terrorism.
Backdrop: Operation Sindoor and Escalated Tensions
This directive comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a series of retaliatory military strikes launched by Indian armed forces targeting terror infrastructure across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were carried out in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians and was linked to terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan.
Given the heightened tensions between the two nations following these developments, the government has taken a more proactive approach to curb influence and propaganda that could emanate from Pakistani digital content. Officials believe that allowing such content could pose risks to national security, disturb internal harmony, or serve the interests of hostile foreign entities.
Scope of the Ban
Importantly, the advisory makes no distinction between the type of content or its method of distribution — whether it is entertainment, news, music, or informational content, and regardless of whether it is monetized or made available freely. All forms of Pakistan-origin or Pakistan-affiliated digital media fall under the scope of this advisory.
Industry Response and Compliance Concerns
Following the issuance of the advisory, several industry bodies and digital content associations are expected to seek further clarification from the ministry, particularly regarding the scope, identification, and compliance procedures. While the advisory outlines the government’s intent, stakeholders in the OTT and digital media ecosystem are likely to request a more structured framework or detailed compliance guidelines to implement the directive uniformly across platforms.
Implications and Forward Outlook
The move is seen as part of a broader national strategy to eliminate foreign influences that are perceived as hostile, especially in the digital media space, where boundaries are often blurred. While the advisory does not carry the force of a law or ban (as of now), its language strongly suggests that non-compliance could result in regulatory or legal action under the provisions of the IT Act and other applicable national security laws.
In the evolving geopolitical climate, this advisory represents a clear message from the Indian government: digital platforms must align with the country’s strategic and security priorities, and content that challenges or compromises those interests will no longer be tolerated.
