In a major crackdown on explicit content, the Indian government has ordered the blocking of 25 OTT platforms, including popular names like ULLU, ALTT, and Desiflix, citing repeated violations related to obscene, vulgar, and, in some cases, pornographic material. The platforms were found streaming sexually explicit content without any storyline or social context, prompting the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take strict action in consultation with other ministries and expert bodies.
Among the banned platforms are ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, ShowHit, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks. The decision was taken following inputs from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, and Law, as well as from industry associations like FICCI, CII, and child rights experts.
The action was taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021, with notifications issued to intermediaries to disable access to the websites and mobile apps of these platforms.
Officials revealed that complaints against the platforms had been pouring in for over a year, including alerts from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and concerned members of the public. Many of these platforms had already been warned by the ministry in September 2023, yet continued to stream objectionable content. In fact, five previously blocked platforms resumed operations by launching their services on new domains.
This isn’t the first time such action has been taken. In May, the Ministry intervened to get the controversial web series House Arrest removed from ULLU’s platform. Despite the warnings, the persistent publication of obscene content led to this decisive step, highlighting the government’s intent to regulate OTT content that violates public decency and legal norms.
