The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday banned five OTT platforms for broadcasting “obscene” content. The platforms that have been duly banned include MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel and Jugnu.
Under the measures to block such platforms, the government directs ISPs to block access to OTT platforms under the Information Technology Rules 2021 and anti-obscenity laws.
The rules aim to protect and preserve public morals, protect national interests, and enforce ethical journalism across digital platforms.
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 gives the Center the power to block online content on several grounds.
Read also | The complete list of 25 OTT platforms banned by the Indian government due to ‘pornographic’ content.
In July last year, the center banned several applications and websites on the grounds of broadcasting what it described as obscene, vulgar and “pornographic” content.
Among the 25 apps and websites targeted in the campaign were ALTBalaji, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite and Gulab App, HT reported.
The action came after content streaming on these platforms was found to constitute a “serious violation” of Indian laws.
Many of the blocked platforms were reportedly hosting content containing “sexual innuendo” and, in some cases, extended scenes of “explicit sexual acts involving nudity”, which were described as “pornographic in nature”.
Much of the material lacked “any meaningful story, theme or social message” and was instead dominated by “obscene and vulgar” visuals.
Read also | Why did the Center ban 25 OTT platforms?
The I&B Ministry acted under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, which enables the government to direct intermediaries to remove access to illegal content when they fail to respond to formal notices.
The campaign came after extensive consultations with the ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, Legal Affairs Department, industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts on women and children’s rights, HT reported, citing a document shared by the MIB official.
The I&B Ministry issued warnings to all 25 platforms in September 2024, but many of them ignored the notices and continued to publish objectionable content using alternative domains. Officials further stated that five platforms previously banned in March 2024 began posting obscene content on the new website domains.
The Ministry has issued advisories and notices to OTT platforms, including a February 2025 reminder to adhere to the Code of Ethics under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
The Digital Publisher Content Grievance Board, a self-regulatory body of about 40 OTT members, including Ullu and ALTT, had previously ordered edits to certain shows on ALTT, citing scenes that were “distasteful and bizarre.”
More than 100 web series on Ullu have been removed, but investigations found that some were quietly re-uploaded in their original form to evade censorship. Ullu’s web series ‘House Arrest’ was withdrawn in May 2025 after government intervention.
