Adopting a tough stance, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has slapped a notice on the OTT platform Netflix for allegedly showcasing adult content that is accessible by kids, on Tuesday.
NCPCR has served the notices to Netflix India Vice-President (Content) Monika Shergil and Policy Head Ambika Khurana, directing them to appear before it in person on July 29 in Delhi.
The notice was served following a complaint lodged by former journalist Uday Mahurkar of Save Culture, Save Bharat Foundation (SCSBF) with the NCPCR.
As per the complaint by SCSBF, Netflix is illegally showcasing the most horrendous pornographic content on its platform, which is easily accessible to minors.
The NCPCR had already sent a letter to Netflix on June 10 to take the necessary steps and submit an Action Taken Report within 10 days, but that was not complied with.
It has pointed out that "the unrestricted accessibility of explicit content on Netflix to minors" constitutes an offence under the POCSO Act, 2012, Section 11.
The relevant section states: "A person is said to commit sexual harassment upon a child when such person, with sexual intent, shows any object to a child in any form or media for pornographic purposes."
The NCPCR has warned that failure to comply with the notice could attract legal consequences, and directed the top officials to appear before it on July 29.