India Getting Tough on Wireless Porn

NEW DELHI — New legislation that will levy stiffer fines and possible jail time for sending “obscene” MMS texts or Internet porn to wireless devices is being pushed by India’s government.

According to the Times of India, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Amendment Bill has been introduced by the government’s women and child development ministry (WCD) to eliminate “indecent representation of women in audio and visual material, including advertisements, publications and electronic form.”

The new law would make objectionable representation of women a crime.

Part of the proposed legislation is "distribution" that will include uploading of content on the web. A section on "material" has also been introduced and will include book, pamphlet, paper, slide, painting or photographs.

The new bill includes new definitions of terms like advertisements to include "notice, wrapper, label, circular or other document or any audio or visual representation made by means of any light, laser light, sound, smoke, gas or electronic form or through any media for the purpose of promotion of any goods, services, place, person, event or organization."

Stiffer penalties are also part of the WCD’s plan that include a fine of Rs 50,000 (about $1,100), up from Rs 2,000 and a jail term of up to three years for first-time offenders.

The government also wants the term to be raised to a maximum of five years for the second and subsequent conviction and the fine hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh (about $10,000).

WCD minister Krishna Tirath told the Times, "Amendments to the Act have been made to cover all possible forms of delivery of content and make the legislation contemporary."

Although obscenity has been addressed by the Indian government before in its IT Act, the ministry watchdogs felt it had some legal loopholes arguing that none of the provisions of the Act referred specifically to indecent representation of women.

The government feels that current laws don’t effectively focus on protecting women in the face of the rising use of advanced technology and media and communication devices.

The proposed legislation has reportedly been presented to the country's ministries and is expected to be reviewed by the Union Cabinet soon.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More