Indian Government Blocks Access to Balaji Telefilms' Streaming Service ALTT Over Obscene Content.

India's Balaji Telefilms has reported that the government has blocked access to its streaming platform, ALTT, and other online streaming services over alleged obscene content. The company's streaming service is one of the many that have been affected by the government's directive. The exact details of the alleged obscene content are not specified in the article.

The Indian government has taken a significant step to curb the spread of unlawful and obscene content on online streaming platforms. On July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued a directive to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, including Balaji Telefilms' streaming service 'ALTT' [1].

The move is part of a broader effort to enforce Indian laws and cultural norms. The platforms, which include Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix, and Big Shots, were found to be hosting content that violated multiple legal provisions, such as 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 [2].

The directive emphasizes the legal obligations of intermediaries to act against unlawful content once notified. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the loss of legal immunity usually granted to platforms and service providers [3].

Balaji Telefilms, one of the affected companies, reported the government's action on its streaming platform 'ALTT'. The company did not specify the exact nature of the alleged obscene content, but the MIB's directive highlights the seriousness of the violations [1].

The government's action is part of a growing trend to regulate digital content more strictly. Earlier in April, the Supreme Court urged the Centre to take legislative action to control obscene content on OTT platforms and social media [2]. The MIB's recent directive is a step in this direction.

The Department of Telecommunications has been requested to assist ISPs in implementing the block. The move is part of the MIB's broader push to regulate digital content and enforce adherence to Indian laws [3].

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-balaji-telefilms-says-government-blocks-access-streaming-platform-2025-07-25/
[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://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/25-ott-platforms-banned-in-india-ullu-alt-balaji-desiflix-among-major-names-blocked/articleshow/122900259.cms