Lok Sabha Question No. 4257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Digital Piracy
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4257 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## DIGITAL PIRACY

## 4257. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state;

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  identified  websites,  mobile  applications  and  social  media platforms repeatedly involved in hosting or facilitating access to pirated cinematograph films and audio-visual content since 2020;

(b)  if  so,  the  number  of  such  platforms  identified,  the  number  of  platforms  against  which blocking,  takedown  or  disabling  orders  have  been  issued  under  the  Information  Technology Act, 2000 and allied rules, year-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has put in place any time-bound grievance redressal or fast-track mechanism for copyright holders to report digital piracy and obtain expeditious relief;

(d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  mechanism  put  in  place  along  with  the  number  of complaints received, adjudicated, provided relief for year-wise and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  coordination  between  the Ministry,  CERT-In,  internet  service  providers  and  intermediaries  to  prevent  re-uploading  of pirated content?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

## (a) to (e):

Cinematograph  (Amendment) Act,  2023  has  strengthened  the  legal  framework  to  deter  film piracy.  Section  6AA  and  6AB  of  Cinematograph  Act  prohibit  unauthorized  recording  and transmission of films. Section 7 (1A) provides that if any person contravenes the provisions of Section 6AA  or  Section 6AB,  they shall be punishable with  a  minimum  3  months imprisonment and fine of Rs. 3 lakh, which can be extended up to 3 years imprisonment and fine  up  to  5%  of  the  audited  gross  production  cost.  Further,  Section  7(1B)(ii)  enables  the Government  to  notify  the  intermediaries  hosting  pirated  content  under  section  79(3)  of  the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Ministry of I&B has established an institutional mechanism through designated Nodal Officers to  receive  complaints,  in  the  prescribed  format  issued  vide  Public  Notice  dated  03.11.2023. Such  complaints  may  be  submitted  by  original  copyright  holders  of  cinematograph  films, persons  authorized  by  them,  or  any  other  individual  regarding  the  exhibition  of  pirated  or infringing copies of films on the internet. Upon  receipt, notifications are issued to intermediaries for disabling access to the identified links.

Section  79(3)(b)  of  IT  Act,  2000  provides  for  notification  by  appropriate  Governments  of unlawful  act  or  content  to  the  intermediaries  for  removing/disabling  access  to  such  content. Intermediaries are required to remove any content violative of any law for the time being in force as and when brought to their knowledge either through a court order or through a notice by appropriate government or its authorized agency.

The Government of India has notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021) under IT Act, 2000. Part-II of the IT Rules,  2021  relating  to  intermediaries,  including  social  media  intermediaries,  inter-alia  casts specific  obligations  on  intermediaries  relating  to  information  hosted,  displayed,  uploaded, published, transmitted, stored or shared on their platforms.

Rule 3(1)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)  Rules  provides  that  the  intermediaries  should  make  reasonable  efforts  by  itself.  They should  not  allow  its  computer  resource  to  be  used  to  host,  display,  upload,  modify,  publish, transmit, store, update or share any information that infringes any patent, trademark, copyright or other proprietary rights.

## Anti-piracy action

In accordance with the above-mentioned provisions of law, the intermediary Telegram App was notified under Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 on 11.03.2026 to remove and disable access to the 3,142 Channels publishing content owned by or licensed to certain content owners, OTT platforms and producers without authorization in violation of the Copyright Act, 1957. Further, access  to  approximately  800  websites  hosting  pirated  content  has  been  disabled  through Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

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