Telegram App News: Government is strict on Telegram, sent notice to stop piracy of films and OTT content; Answer sought in 15 days

The Central Government has taken a strict stance against the messaging platform Telegram regarding the increasing online piracy of content of films and OTT platforms. It is reported that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a notice to Telegram directing it to take effective steps to ban the sharing of pirated films and OTT content with immediate effect.

According to sources, the Ministry has also asked for an action taken report from Telegram in this regard within 15 days. The ministry has said in its notice that pirated films, OTT content and other copyright protected audio-visual content is being disseminated on a large scale on Telegram. In such a situation, the platform should not be limited to taking action only after receiving the complaint, but should develop a strong and proactive system to stop piracy.

Instructions to strengthen the system to stop piracy

The government has directed Telegram to make its system more effective in identifying, reporting, blocking access and removing pirated content. Apart from this, the ministry has also asked to take strict action against those channels, groups, bots, accounts, administrators and other networks associated with them, which are repeatedly spreading copyright infringing content.

Report will have to be given in 15 days

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked Telegram to explain within 15 days what steps it has taken to stop piracy. The platform has also been asked how its grievance redressal system works to resolve complaints of film producers, OTT platforms, content producers and law enforcement agencies.

Now action taken only on receiving complaint is not enough

The government believes that it is not enough to identify different channels and remove them every time. The ministry has clarified that under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021, Telegram has a legal responsibility to take timely action as an intermediary.

The ministry has said in the notice that merely waiting for the government to identify a channel will not be considered sufficient. The platform itself will have to develop such a system so that copyright infringing content and networks can be identified and action can be taken in time.

action was taken earlier also

According to government sources, even before this the government has taken action against more than 3,000 channels of Telegram broadcasting pirated content. However, now the government’s strategy is not limited to action only on individual channels, but steps have been taken towards fixing accountability of the entire platform.

The government says that online piracy affects not only the film industry but also OTT platforms, broadcasters, producers, distributors and the entire creator economy of the country. New movies and web series become available illegally on platforms like Telegram within hours of their release, causing huge financial losses to content creators.

copyright infringement criminal offense

The ministry has also clarified in its notice that copyright infringement in India is not only a civil dispute but also a criminal offense under the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Cinematograph Act, 1952. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the digital platforms to ensure timely and effective action in accordance with the law.

This step of the government is being considered as an important initiative towards taking major action against digital piracy and fixing the accountability of online platforms.