On July 23, 2025, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), after consultation with the Home Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Women & Child Development, MeitY, Department of Legal Affairs, industry bodies (FICCI, CII), and experts, issued an order to block 25 Over-the‑top (OTT) platforms in India for streaming obscene, vulgar, and in some cases pornographic content.
Why the Ban?
The action is part of the government’s effort to uphold legal and moral standards in the digital space:
- Multiple warnings issued: All 25 platforms had received official notices as early as September 2024 for continuing to host objectionable content.
- Content violations included: Graphic sexual innuendos, nudity without narrative context, and explicit visuals sometimes linked to inappropriate family situations.
- Legal breaches: Content violated sections including IT Act Sections 67 and 67A, IPC Section 292, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
There had been earlier crackdowns as well: in March 2024, 18 OTT platforms along with associated apps and social media channels were banned under similar circumstances.
Who’s on the List?
According to Livemint and Business Standard, the full roster of 25 banned platforms includes:
ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji), Ullu, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, ShowHit, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, Fugi, Mojflix, Triflicks.
A few highlights:
- ALTT (ALTBalaji): Launched by Ekta Kapoor in 2017, it was a popular platform with original content, including series viewed critically for being “bizarre” and “distasteful.” The DPCGC (Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council) had flagged its content multiple times.
- ULLU: Established in 2018 by Vibhu Agarwal, known for adult‑oriented web series. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had previously flagged over a hundred titles, and one controversial show, House Arrest, was taken down in May 2025 after Ministry intervention.
What Happens Next?
- Internet service providers (ISPs) and intermediaries have been instructed to disable access to both websites and mobile apps of these platforms within India, including removal from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
- Civil society groups and political figures, including MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, welcomed the move, calling it a necessary step to protect societal values and minors from harmful content.
Broader Context: Regulating OTT in India
- Regulation under IT Rules 2021 mandates that no content prohibited by law should be published or streamed. The government has emphasized that creative freedom on OTT cannot override legal restrictions on obscenity.
- Experts argue that occasional bans are not enough—a more systematic legal and technological reform is required to permanently safeguard digital spaces, especially in protecting children and upholding cultural norms.
Key Takeaways:
| Point | Details |
| Date of Ban | July 23, 2025 (order issued) |
| Affected Platforms | 25 OTT platforms including ALTT, ULLU, Desiflix, MoodX |
| Reason | Streaming of obscene, pornographic, and vulgar content |
| Legal Provisions Violated | IT Act Sections 67/67A, IPC Section 292, IRWP Act Section 4 |
| Government Bodies Involved | MIB, MeitY, MWCD, MHA, DoLA, FICCI, CII |
| Public Support | Supported by NCW, NCPCR, and prominent political voices |
This decisive action is a landmark moment in India’s digital regulation journey safeguarding public decency, protecting minors, and enforcing the principle that freedom on OTT platforms must align with India’s legal and ethical standards.
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