Regulatory boost for OTT payments as PhonePe joins forces with DPCGC

PhonePe and the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) have formalised a partnership aimed at strengthening regulatory compliance among OTT merchants in India. The MoU, signed on October 9, aligns PhonePe’s payment gateway requirements with the self‑regulatory standards set by DPCGC, a body registered under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

According to the Information Technology Rules, 2021, OTT platforms and online content publishers must be members of a recognised SRO to address consumer grievances. PhonePe will now enforce SRO membership as a prerequisite for onboarding merchants, ensuring that all partners operate within the legal framework.

The collaboration focuses on raising awareness about SRO obligations, simplifying the certification journey, and providing continuous support through DPCGC’s expertise. By doing so, it seeks to eliminate compliance bottlenecks that have hindered many smaller OTT vendors.

Executives from both organisations emphasized that the joint effort will create a more transparent ecosystem, protect consumer interests, and position PhonePe as a trusted payments facilitator in the booming OTT market.