Popular streaming platforms and apps such as Ullu, Desiflix, ALTT, and several other OTT services have been banned by the government due to rising concerns over the streaming of sexually oriented, explicit, and obscene material.
Acting on various complaints and reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) addressed concerns that these apps were reportedly offering unmoderated “erotic web series” which, in reality, amounted to adult content.
For some time, public complaints and frustration regarding the presence of ‘soft porn’ content on the mentioned OTT platforms had been growing substantially on social media. In response to these rising concerns, the authorities decided to take action after discovering that these platforms were hosting adult and inappropriate content — a direct violation of India’s IT regulations and existing laws related to obscenity.
The government emphasized that, according to the Information Technology Act of 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules of 2021, intermediaries are obligated to remove or block access to illegal content.
This marks a significant step by the government, as it would not only reduce the distribution of pornographic material among the public but also protect minors from early exposure to such content.
In March, the ministry banned 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media handles linked to 18 OTT platforms due to their publication of obscene and vulgar content.
In addition to notable streaming services such as Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots, Desiflix, and Navarasa, other platforms, including Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks, were found to violate several laws. These include Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Stay tuned for more updates.