Government Bans Over 20 OTT Platforms for Violating Decency Laws

The Indian government has banned over 20 OTT platforms, including Ullu and ALTT, for violating laws related to indecent representation of women and the easy availability of pornographic material to minors. The ban aims to ensure that digital content remains within legal bounds and to curb the availability of such content to minors. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed ISPs to disable access to these websites in India.

The Indian government has taken a stringent stance against Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms by banning 25 websites for hosting unlawful content, including sexually explicit material and indecent representation of women. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued a directive to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to these platforms, citing violations of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and other relevant laws [1].

Among the banned platforms are Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix, 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, Mojflix, and Triflicks. These platforms were found to be in breach of Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 [2].

The MIB's move is part of a broader effort to regulate digital content and ensure compliance with Indian laws and cultural norms. The government has been increasingly scrutinizing online content, with previous actions including the blocking of 18 streaming services in 2024 and the disabling of related websites, mobile applications, and social media accounts [3].

The ban on these OTT platforms underscores the government's commitment to protecting minors from exposure to inappropriate content. The directive to ISPs to block access to these websites aims to ensure that digital content remains within legal bounds and to curb the availability of such content to minors [4].

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/25-ott-platforms-banned-in-india-ullu-alt-balaji-desiflix-among-major-names-blocked/articleshow/122900259.cms
[2] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/ott-platforms-banned-obscene-content-ullu-altt-big-shots-mib-it-act-125072500608_1.html
[3] https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/crackdown-on-content-govt-blocks-25-sites-expanding-last-years-crackdown-on-obscene-content-online-76890.htm
[4] https://www.financialexpress.com/business/brandwagon-govt-blocks-altt-ullu-big-shots-among-25-sites-over-objectionable-content-3926361/