The centre took a big step to bring online service providers under the check of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. This will also include online gaming services and advertisement posting. The government takes this move as an attempt to improvise the regulations in the fast-moving digital segment.
President Draupadi Murmu issued the notification about the same. This notification includes films and audio-visual programmes or content made accessible by the online service providers under the second schedule of Government of India (allocation of Business) rules, 1961. This gives the I& B Ministry authority to regulate the policies of online services and gaming service providers.
The initiative to control internet media began in March 2018, when the then-Minister of I&B, Smriti Irani, proposed measures to oversee digital content producers. This approach appears to be inspired by the expanding importance of online platforms and the need to protect users from harmful or exploitative content.