On Friday, July 25, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) took strict action against 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms. These platforms were ordered to be blocked because they were allegedly sharing content that was considered obscene, vulgar, and even pornographic in some cases.
Some of the OTT platforms included in the ban are ULLU, ALTT, Big Shots App, and Desiflix. According to the government, these platforms were found to be showing web series, short films, and videos that went against Indian laws. The content was said to be harmful to public decency and morality.
The ministry stated that these OTT platforms did not follow the rules set under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules are meant to ensure that online platforms do not spread harmful or illegal material.
Officials also mentioned that many of the banned platforms had no proper age restrictions and were freely showing adult content to the public, which could negatively affect children and young viewers.
Centre Bans 25 OTT Platforms for Hosting Vulgar Content
The central government has banned 25 apps and websites, including popular names like ALTBalaji, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, and Gulab App, for allegedly streaming obscene and pornographic material.
According to officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, these platforms were found to be in serious violation of Indian laws. The crackdown was prompted by content that reportedly featured sexual innuendos, prolonged nudity, and explicit scenes, often without a clear storyline or social message.
Officials noted that the visuals on many of these platforms were primarily vulgar in nature, lacking any artistic or meaningful purpose. The blocked apps and websites are now under scrutiny for breaching digital content guidelines and promoting indecency online.
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Full List of 25 OTT Platforms Banned by the Centre
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked the following 25 OTT platforms for allegedly hosting obscene, vulgar, or pornographic content:
- ALTBalaji (ALTT)
- Ullu
- Big Shots App
- Desiflix
- Boomex
- NeonX VIP
- Navarasa Lite
- Gulab App
- Kangan App
- Bull App
- ShowHit
- Jalva App
- Wow Entertainment
- Look Entertainment
- Hitprime
- Fugi
- Feneo
- ShowX
- Sol Talkies
- Adda TV
- HotX VIP
- Hulchul App
- MoodX
- Triflicks
- Mojflix
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Why Were the 25 OTT Platforms Banned?
The 25 OTT platforms were banned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for repeatedly streaming content that was largely explicit and pornographic in nature. According to ministry sources, many of these platforms featured prolonged scenes of nudity, obscene visuals, and sexually explicit material that violated Indian obscenity laws.
Officials stated that much of the content lacked a clear storyline or social relevance, instead focusing purely on vulgarity. In some cases, the shows depicted inappropriate sexual scenarios involving family members, raising further concerns about morality and legality.
Earlier, the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) had also criticised platforms like ALTT, calling its content “bizarre and distasteful,” with excessive nudity and sexual scenes shown without any narrative justification.
In February, the ministry had already issued a warning to OTT platforms, reminding them to follow India’s obscenity laws and the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021. Despite the advisory, these platforms allegedly continued to ignore the rules, prompting the recent crackdown.
‘House Arrest’ Controversy
In May, ULLU’s reality show House Arrest sparked major outrage and was eventually removed from the platform following intense criticism for its explicit content.
A viral clip from the show featured host Ajaz Khan allegedly coercing female participants into performing intimate acts on camera, even as they showed clear discomfort and refused multiple times. The clip drew widespread condemnation on social media and raised concerns about consent and exploitation.
Further investigation by the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) revealed that ULLU had removed or edited over 100 web series, only to later re-upload unedited versions, reportedly in an attempt to bypass official warnings.
This incident became a key example of repeated violations that contributed to the broader government crackdown on OTT platforms hosting objectionable content.
