Seven OTT platforms including the Ekta Kapoor-founded ALT Balaji as well as two online web portals have been registered for an FIR (first information report) by the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Division for allegedly transmitting sexually explicit and obscene content online. The summons for the heads of these companies will be issued shortly.
A few days ago, a man was arrested by the Palghar Police who had made multiple pornographic videos featuring a young girl and a minor. The investigation that came about from the arrest concluded that the man has sold the videos to multiple entities across the country, including the above-mentioned OTT platforms. After receiving multiple complaints from citizens registered on various OTT apps, the Cyber Crime Division decided to take over the case and found the multiple videos as well as their streaming platforms.
Besides ALT Balaji, the Cyber Crime Division have found that Hotshot, Flizmovies / Fenco / Neoflix, Ullu / Hotmasti, Chikooflix, Kukoo, Primeflix are the other OTT platforms which displayed the video. Xvideos and Pornhub are the two websites that hosted the pornographic content as well. According to the special inspector general of police, Yashasvi Yadhav, the videos uploaded on these platforms were not certified by any certifying agency. It is also likely that the “actresses” involved were lured under false pretenses or even compelled to perform some of the obscene acts shown in video and as such the investigating division will be treating them as victims.
Along with the summons for the heads of these streaming companies, the Cyber Crime Division has asked them to block the videos, which they will block themselves if the owners do not comply. No platform has commented on this issue as of yet, but the news is still fresh so we will probably hear a statement soon. Hopefully this incident will make OTT platforms more vigilant and conscious of what they are streaming on their digital space.
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