Web of Control: Will social media be regulated by censor?

While over-the-top (OTT) players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, etc, have now come under the ambit of information and broadcasting ministry for regulation purposes, there is no similar clarity with regard to the regulation of intermediaries like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, etc. This is because they continue to be under the jurisdiction of ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) which administers them under the relevant sections of Information Technology Act.

However, experts say since intermediaries also have user-generated content and since I&B has become a content regulator now for OTTs apart from being one for cinema and TV, it is also empowered to make laws which can regulate content on the intermediaries.