The government on Friday ordered a ban on websites and apps of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms for allegedly displaying obscene, vulgar and pornographic content.Among the banned digital platforms are apps with wide reach, including ALTT, the OTT subsidiary of producer Ekta Kapoor-owned Balaji Telefilms, and Ullu.Ekta Kapoor’s OTT platform has earlier too faced allegations of pushing boundaries in adult-themed web series. After the ban today, Balaji Telefilms’ shares slumped.Also in the ambit of the crackdown are lesser-known apps Big Shots, Desiflix, Boomex, NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, MoodX, ShowX, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowHit, Look Entertainment, Jalva and Mojflix among others.The ban by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry came after detailed consultations with the ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, Department of Legal Affairs and industry bodies like FICCI and CII.The RSS — the ruling BJP’s mentor — has been asking for long for OTT platforms to be reined in for spreading vulgarity with Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat last October demanding a regulation for OTTs.What the rules stipulateOnline platforms must not host, display or share any content that is obsceneMajor OTT platforms must set up a proper grievance redressal systemPlatforms must classify content based on age suitability: U, UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+ and AParental locks must be enabled for content rated ‘A’ and access controls must be in place to stop minors from viewing age-inappropriate materialAll digital publishers must follow the Code of Ethics; content must not disturb public order, insult women or promote violenceThe government said the platforms were found to be in serious breach of Indian laws, including Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The ministry said 26 websites and 14 mobile apps, nine hosted on Google Play Store and five on Apple App Store, had now been blocked and intermediaries directed to ensure complete removal of access under provisions of the IT Act and IT Rules, 2021.The ban stems from “highly objectionable” content on platforms. Government sources said several platforms were streaming long stretches of sexually explicit scenes, often involving nudity and inappropriate relationships, all in the absence of a meaningful storyline or message. Much of the content was described by officials as obscene, vulgar and, in some cases, pornographic. “There was no artistic value or social theme, only deliberate sexual innuendo and objectification,” a senior official said.The crackdown follows a trail of warnings and interventions over the past year. In July and August 2024, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had flagged concerns regarding explicit content hosted by Ullu and ALTT, urging the government to step in.In February 2025, the ministry issued an advisory asking the OTT platforms to strictly follow the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021. In September 2024, written communications were also sent to all 25 platforms, warning them against publishing obscene material. However, the platforms continued with business as usual.On April 28, the Supreme Court had also issued a notice to the Centre on a petition by former Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar seeking a ban on sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms.In one instance, Ullu removed a controversial web series titled “House Arrest” in May 2025 following ministerial intervention, only to quietly resume uploading similar content later.Moreover, five of the blocked platforms had previously been taken down in March 2024, but returned under new website domains, openly bypassing regulatory controls.The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) — a self-regulatory body led by a former Supreme Court judge, had earlier pulled up platforms like ALTT and Ullu for publishing “distasteful and bizarre” scenes of gratuitous sex and nudity, often lacking any context.The findings of the council revealed that over 100 web series were removed from Ullu. However, the platform reportedly re-uploaded unedited versions after a short interval, signalling wilful circumvention of content guidelines.Reacting to the Centre’s decision, BJP MP Arun Govil, who had earlier flagged the issue in the Lok Sabha, said, “This is a step in the right direction. Vulgarity, misleading narratives or excessive violence — such content is simply not suitable for family viewing. It has no place in our homes,” Govil said, adding that the platforms deserved to be taken down.A Supreme Court lawyer, Vineet Jindal, engaged with the issue said he had earlier moved against platforms like ALTT and Ullu for broadcasting obscene content and violating the IT Rules.“Our complaint demanded a complete ban on such platforms. We recently received communication from the ministry confirming that action is being taken and today, that action has been officially ordered,” said Jindal.
Centre cracks down on obscene content, bans 25 OTT platforms
