India’s Got Talent row: SC seeks response; LocalCircles survey shows 74% users want platforms to follow code

Hyderabad: Amid national outrage over vulgar content in India’s Got Talent, the Supreme Court has sought a response from authorities on the enforcement of regulations for online platforms.

The apex court was hearing a writ petition about a podcast that contained content filled with profanity.

The controversy, which gained traction on platforms like LocalCircles, has reignited the debate on the regulation of audio and video streaming services in India.

Public Outrage Over Unchecked Content

In the last 48 hours, platforms, including LocalCircles witnessed a surge of citizen complaints about the podcast. Users expressed concerns over how such content was being propagated under the guise of comedy, raising fears about its impact on children and teenagers. Many questioned the failure of both the platforms hosting the content and the government’s regulatory framework.

A key issue highlighted by users was the lack of effective segregation of explicit content on streaming platforms. A LocalCircles survey, which has been running since August 2024, gathered over 49,000 responses from citizens across 329 districts. The findings indicate that:

• 59% of respondents believe audio/video platforms do not effectively separate explicit content, making it accessible to minors.

• 74% of users support the enforcement of a code of conduct for content regulation.

• 22% of Indian families surveyed have children under 13 with accounts on streaming platforms.

Streaming Platforms as a Primary Content Source

The survey found that 53% of consumers use audio/video streaming platforms to consume content. Out of 9,922 respondents:

• 53% said “yes” to using such platforms.

• 46% said “no.”

Additionally, 35% of users have at least one paid subscription. Of the 10,195 respondents surveyed:

• 15% have one paid subscription.

• 19% have two or three.

• 65% do not subscribe to any platform.

The findings confirm that a significant portion of Indian consumers rely on streaming platforms for content consumption.

Concerns Over Minors Accessing Inappropriate Content

A critical issue raised in the survey is the exposure of minors to unsuitable content. When asked if children under 13 in their households had accounts on streaming platforms:

• 22% said “yes.”

• 72% said “no.”

• 6% did not provide a clear response.

Additionally, when asked whether platforms effectively segregate explicit content to prevent children from accessing it:

• 59% of respondents said “no.”

• 26% said “yes.”

• 15% did not provide a clear response.

The podcast controversy has intensified concerns about the lack of monitoring and enforcement of content regulations. Many believe that such unchecked content, which spreads through platforms like YouTube and Instagram, could have a long-term negative impact on younger audiences.

Demand for Stricter Regulations

The government, under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021), is responsible for regulating streaming platforms. However, citizens have raised concerns that these regulations are ineffective.

When asked about the best approach to content regulation:

• 35% supported a self-governing code of conduct for the industry.

• 39% believed the government should create and enforce regulations.

• 20% felt no rules were necessary.

• 6% did not provide a clear response.

The findings show that while many favor industry self-regulation, a significant portion believes government intervention is necessary to ensure compliance.

Call for Immediate Action

The latest controversy has reinforced the need for updated regulations and stricter enforcement. Experts believe that platforms must be held accountable for failing to filter out inappropriate content. Many suggest that artificial intelligence and other monitoring tools could be used to detect and remove explicit material more effectively.

With the Supreme Court now taking cognizance of the issue, it remains to be seen what legal and regulatory measures will be introduced to prevent such incidents in the future. Citizens continue to demand urgent reforms to protect children and uphold content standards on streaming platforms.