The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has called upon the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to address concerns regarding the 'Ullu' application promptly. This plea was accompanied by a request for a response from the ministry within a stipulated timeframe of 10 days.
In a letter addressed to the ministry, NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo highlighted that the 'Ullu' application, accessible on both the Play Store and iOS platforms, harbors "extremely obscene and objectionable" content, which is readily available to individuals of all ages, including children.
Expressing concern, Kanoongo emphasized that the application can be effortlessly downloaded and accessed without any mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) authentication, thereby potentially exposing minors to inappropriate material.
The commission's intervention stemmed from a complaint filed by a user known as X, prompting an investigation into the matter.
Citing specific instances, the commission underscored that certain programs on the app cater to school-aged children by featuring "explicit sexual scenes and plotlines," with one show reportedly depicting "sexual intercourse between schoolchildren."
Moreover, the absence of a KYC or similar age verification mechanism was flagged by the commission as a critical loophole, facilitating the unrestricted accessibility of explicit content to underage individuals.
Highlighting the legal ramifications, the commission emphasized that such unregulated accessibility directly contravenes Section 11 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, warranting immediate action by the authorities.
Additionally, the NCPCR urged the IT Ministry to furnish details regarding the regulatory frameworks and policy certifications governing such applications.
In advocating for stringent measures, the commission recommended the enforcement of mandatory KYC procedures for applications hosting explicit content, available on popular platforms like the Play Store and App Store, to safeguard children from inadvertently accessing inappropriate material.
