Government Takes Action Against 25 OTT Platforms for Obscene Content
Government's Directive to ISPs
New Delhi: In an effort to combat illegal and inappropriate content, the government has instructed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to 25 OTT platforms, including well-known services like Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix.
A notice from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) stated that intermediaries must act to remove or restrict access to illegal content as mandated by the Information Technology Act of 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules of 2021.
This initiative aims to limit the spread of content considered sexually explicit and contrary to Indian legal and cultural norms.
The platforms affected by this ban include Big Shots App, 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, and Mojflix, among others.
These services have been found to violate several laws, including Section 67 and Section 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.
The government has clearly instructed ISPs to disable or eliminate public access to these websites within India.
According to reports, the MIB has also notified the Director (DS-II) of the Department of Telecommunications to assist ISPs in complying with this directive, demonstrating the government's commitment to enforcing digital content regulations and ensuring compliance with national laws.
In April, the Supreme Court addressed a petition seeking a ban on sexually explicit content across OTT platforms and social media.
The court remarked, "It’s not our domain, you do something," while also emphasizing the necessity for executive action, with the Solicitor General suggesting that existing regulations and additional measures are under review.