Proposed e-commerce norms cloud future of Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime

At the heart of the issue is the way e-commerce is defined in the current draft policy

The future of your favourite original shows on over-the-top (OTT) platforms like Netflix, Hotstar and Amazon Prime looks uncertain if the government goes ahead with the draft e-commerce policy in its current form.

Earlier this month, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) decided to extend the date of submission of stakeholder comments on the draft policy, which was first put out on February 23, to March 29. However, among the major digital players that pushed for the extension, citing concerns over data, ownership and operational rules, Netflix and Hotstar have conspicuously stood out.

At the heart