February 20, 2025: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued a strong warning to social media platforms and OTT services, urging them to strictly follow the Code of Ethics outlined in the IT Rules (2021). The advisory comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding remarks made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia during an episode of the stand-up comedy show India’s Got Latent.

The government stated that it had received multiple complaints about the "spread of obscene, pornographic, and vulgar content" on OTT platforms and social media. In response, it reminded platforms of their legal responsibility to prevent the transmission of prohibited content and to enforce age-based classifications rigorously.

The episode in question, which featured allegedly offensive comments, was taken down from YouTube following government orders. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also weighed in on the matter, questioning the Centre about potential measures to regulate online content.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh criticized Allahbadia, popularly known as the 'BeerBiceps guy' on Instagram, over his controversial remarks. The court's intervention came as Allahbadia sought to consolidate multiple police cases filed against him.

The government emphasized that self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms must ensure adherence to ethical guidelines while publishing content. It also reiterated the need for stricter access controls for 'A'-rated content to prevent children from viewing inappropriate material.

As the debate over online content moderation intensifies, the directive signals the Centre's increasing scrutiny of digital platforms, reinforcing the push for greater accountability in the rapidly evolving OTT landscape.