Government blocks access to 25 streaming apps for violating obscenity laws; action aims to regulate explicit content on digital platforms in India
🚫 25 OTT Platforms Banned for Obscene Content, Says Information & Broadcasting Ministry
In a major step to regulate digital content, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Information Ministry) has ordered the blocking of 25 over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms — including popular apps such as Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix — for publishing sexually explicit and legally prohibited material.
The decision comes in response to increasing concerns over the availability of obscene content on certain mobile apps and websites that are accessible to the public in India.
📺 List of Banned Streaming Apps Includes Popular Names
The list of banned platforms includes:
- Ullu
- ALTT
- Desiflix
- Big Shots App
- Boomex
- Navarasa Lite
- Jalwa App
- Kangan App
- Feneo
- Wow Entertainment
- HotX VIP, and more
In total, 25 OTT platforms have been found violating Indian laws related to indecency and digital ethics.
⚖️ What Laws Were Violated?
The Information Ministry stated that these platforms violated multiple legal provisions, including:
- Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 – relating to electronic publication and transmission of obscene or sexually explicit material
- Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – covering obscene acts and songs in public spaces
- Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 – banning indecent depictions of women in media
🌐 Internet Providers Told to Block Access Across India
To enforce the ban, the government has instructed all internet service providers (ISPs) to block public access to these apps and websites across India.
According to reports, the Information Ministry has also contacted the Department of Telecommunications to ensure that internet providers comply swiftly.
This move highlights the Centre’s commitment to enforcing ethical standards in digital media content.
🏛️ Supreme Court Also Flagged Concern Over Explicit Content
This ban follows a Supreme Court hearing in April, where a petition was filed requesting a ban on sexually explicit content on OTT platforms and social media.
- The court advised that such matters fall under the government’s domain.
- The Solicitor General assured the court that further steps and stricter enforcement mechanisms were already under consideration.
🛡️ Why This Move Matters
The Indian government’s action is part of a wider push to:
- Protect cultural and legal standards
- Prevent the spread of inappropriate or adult content to general audiences
- Hold digital platforms accountable for content regulation and user safety
By targeting streaming platforms that bypass digital ethics, the move is expected to influence how content creators and app developers operate in India’s OTT space.
📌 Summary: What You Need to Know
- 25 streaming platforms, including Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix, have been banned in India.
- These platforms violated multiple Indian laws by hosting sexually explicit and obscene content.
- The government has directed internet companies to block public access to these services nationwide.
- The move is part of a broader effort to regulate digital content and ensure compliance with Indian legal and cultural standards.
