The Supreme Court sought responses on comedian Pranit More's free speech plea, which now argues for shifting online content liability to platforms. More faces two FIRs for viral crowd work, but a new PIL wants algorithms regulated over individual creators. This case follows the Ranveer Allahabadia controversy, where the SC previously asked for regulatory proposals on "offensive" online content.
How We Got Here
Pranit More's Gurugram show in June 2026 featured crowd work on "biryani for sexual favours," which went viral and sparked the #biryaniisnotconsent campaign. Despite More deleting the video and apologizing, FIRs from Maharashtra Cyber Police and Gurugram Police led him to the Supreme Court seeking to club the cases.
The Numbers
- More reportedly told the Supreme Court his PR team published the video without his approval while he was traveling.
- The audience member, Himanshu Jangra, who made the original comment in More's show, was later fired by his employer.
- Advocate Vishal Tiwari's PIL argues for regulating social media algorithms that amplify content, rather than penalizing individual creators.
- The PIL also seeks an independent judicial commission to study social media's impact on children under 16 and propose age verification.
- The I&B Ministry indicated in November 2025 that it is drafting new content moderation rules for "perverse" online content, with public consultation planned.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For digital content creators and platform product managers in Mumbai and Delhi, this case could fundamentally alter how online moderation policies are designed and liability is assigned.
The Take
This case marks a clear move to shift regulatory focus from content creators to the algorithms that amplify potentially offensive material. Expect product and engineering teams at major platforms to bear increasing responsibility for content moderation policies, far beyond just legal departments.
Source:
MediaNama ↗