Anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms a must: Health ministry’s new rules

The union home minister on Wednesday mandated anti-tobacco warnings for OTT platforms. The ministry’s notification amended rules for anti-tobacco warnings for publishers and a failure to comply with new rules will lead to strict punishment against them.

OTT platforms are now required to display anti-tobacco warnings and disclaimers as we see in movies. As per PTI, OTT platform shall also be required to exhibit an anti-tobacco health warning as a prominent static message at the bottom of the screen when tobacco products or their use are displayed during the programme.

Upon failure to comply with the new rules, ministers of health, information and broadcasting and electronic and information technology shall issue a notice giving reasonable opportunity to them.