In a significant move to uphold digital content standards, the Government of India has directed internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to approximately 24 to 25 over-the-top (OTT) apps and websites accused of streaming sexually explicit and vulgar material. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) issued the directive under the purview of IT and obscenity regulations, citing serious violations by these platforms.
List of Banned Platforms
Among the platforms named in the ban are ULLU, ALTT, Desiflix, Big Shots App, Boomex, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Mojflix, Triflicks, Gulab App, Hulchul, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, HotX VIP, ShowX, and several others. These services reportedly distributed soft pornographic content masked as erotic web series, often lacking proper moderation or content classification.
Legal Provisions Invoked
The government cited breaches of multiple legal statutes, including:
Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which prohibit the electronic transmission of obscene and sexually explicit material.
Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which penalises obscene acts and songs in public view.
Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, which restricts the indecent portrayal of women across media.
Additionally, under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, intermediaries lose their “safe harbour” protections if they fail to act on government takedown orders. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, particularly Rule 7, further empower the government to take legal action against non-compliant digital platforms.
Precedent from March 2024 Crackdown
This enforcement follows a similar crackdown in March 2024, when the MIB blocked 18 OTT platforms for disseminating obscene content. That operation resulted in the blocking of 19 websites, 10 mobile apps (seven on Google Play Store and three on the Apple App Store), and 57 associated social media accounts. Platforms such as Dreams Films, Voovi, Hunters, Besharams, Rabbit, Xtramood, Chikooflix, Nuefliks, and Hot Shots VIP were among those de-platformed.
In an official statement, the ministry said it acted in coordination with digital intermediaries to curb the spread of “obscene, vulgar, and, in some instances, pornographic content.”
Regulatory Bodies Raise Alarms
The move has been bolstered by concerns raised by national regulatory authorities. The National Commission for Women (NCW) recently summoned representatives from ULLU Digital, following backlash against its web series House Arrest, which was accused of promoting incest and objectifying women. The commission warned of stern action and questioned the impact of such content on impressionable audiences.
Similarly, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has expressed concern over children’s exposure to explicit OTT content and has called for tighter enforcement of content regulations.
Government’s Stance on Creative Freedom
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur has repeatedly warned OTT platforms against misusing creative freedom. “Creative freedom does not mean spreading vulgarity or abusing Indian cultural values,” he stated earlier this year.
The government has reiterated that OTT platforms must adhere to established content guidelines and self-regulatory norms. Continued violations may result in further legal action, including permanent bans.
Tags: OTT ban, ULLU, ALTT, vulgar content, soft porn, India IT Act, obscenity laws, MIB action, Anurag Thakur, NCW, NCPCR, OTT content regulation, Indian digital laws, banned OTT platforms, Section 67 IT Act, Intermediary Guidelines 2021
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