India Takes Strong Stand: 25 OTT Platforms Blocked Amidst Obscenity Crackdown

New Delhi, India – July 26, 2025 – In a significant move to curb the proliferation of objectionable content online, the Indian government has initiated a widespread OTT platform crackdown, blocking 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms and their associated applications and websites. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) cited the streaming of obscene, vulgar, and in some cases, pornographic content as the primary reason for this decisive action. This OTT platform crackdown underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing digital ethics and protecting public morality.

Key Highlights of the OTT Platform Crackdown:

• Legal Foundation: The ban has been enacted under robust legal provisions, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
• Violations Cited: The MIB explicitly stated that these platforms were found in violation of several crucial sections of Indian law:
  • Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, which deal with the publication or transmission of obscene and sexually explicit material in electronic form.
  • Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, concerning obscene acts and songs.
  • Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, which prohibits the indecent representation of women.
• List of Blocked Platforms: The 25 platforms impacted by this OTT platform crackdown include:
  • ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji)
  • ULLU
  • Big Shots App
  • Desiflix
  • Boomex
  • Navarasa Lite
  • 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
  • Triflicks
• Intermediary Responsibility: The MIB has firmly reiterated the responsibility of intermediaries. They must promptly remove unlawful content once notified, and any failure to comply can lead to the loss of their legal immunity, as per Section 79 of the IT Act. This emphasis on prompt action is a critical aspect of the ongoing OTT platform crackdown.
• Prior Warnings and History: This ban is not an isolated incident. According to the Hindustan Times, these platforms had received previous warnings regarding their content. Furthermore, the government has taken similar actions in the past, with five platforms being blocked in March 2024 for analogous reasons. Notably, some of these platforms reportedly re-launched with new domains after the previous ban, signaling a persistent challenge for regulators.

The Rationale Behind the OTT Platform Crackdown

The government’s decision stems from a growing concern over the unregulated dissemination of content deemed harmful to public morality and societal values. The MIB’s statement highlights the serious nature of the violations, indicating content that was not just vulgar but, in some instances, unequivocally pornographic. This proactive OTT platform crackdown aims to ensure that digital media adheres to the legal and ethical framework established in India.

Impact and Implications of the OTT Platform Crackdown

The immediate impact of this OTT platform crackdown is the cessation of public access to these platforms within India. For subscribers and content creators associated with these platforms, this means an abrupt disruption. The broader implications are significant:

• Heightened Scrutiny: This action serves as a strong signal to all OTT platforms operating in India that content moderation and adherence to national laws will be under increasingly stringent scrutiny.
• Intermediary Accountability: The reiteration of intermediary responsibility under the IT Rules, 2021, places a greater onus on platforms to proactively monitor and remove objectionable content, rather than waiting for government directives.
• User Awareness: The ban also brings to the forefront the need for greater awareness among users regarding the legal implications of consuming or sharing unlawful content online.
• Future of Digital Content Regulation: This OTT platform crackdown is likely to shape the future landscape of digital content regulation in India, potentially leading to more robust enforcement mechanisms and clearer guidelines for content creation and distribution.

While some may argue about censorship and freedom of expression, the government’s stance is clear: content that violates Indian laws concerning obscenity, indecency, and public morality will not be tolerated. This latest OTT platform crackdown is a firm step towards creating a safer and more responsible digital environment for Indian viewers.