Government Blocks 25 OTT Platforms Over Obscene Content

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In a broad crackdown on digital obscenity, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across India to block public access to 25 Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming platforms. The directive, issued on July 23, 2025, specifically targets platforms such as Ullu, ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji), Desiflix, and Big Shots App for allegedly hosting and distributing sexually explicit, vulgar, and, in some cases, pornographic content.

This decisive action, which also encompasses 26 associated websites and 14 mobile applications, follows repeated warnings to these platforms and is based on extensive consultations. The MIB worked in conjunction with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Electronics and IT, and the Department of Legal Affairs, as well as industry bodies like FICCI and CII, and experts on women’s and child rights. The move aims to restrict easy access to content deemed inappropriate, especially for minors, and to ensure digital content adheres to established legal and moral standards.

Sources within the government indicated that the decision was triggered by a rising number of public grievances and the platforms’ persistent violation of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and various Indian obscenity laws. Platforms like Ullu and ALTT had previously been flagged by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in 2024 for content containing sexual innuendo and nudity with minimal or no narrative context. Notably, Ullu was compelled to remove its series “House Arrest” in May 2025 following government intervention.

The content identified on these platforms often displayed nudity and sexually explicit acts in inappropriate contexts, including depictions in family relationships, with little to no thematic or social relevance. Such material was found to be in violation of Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code; and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

This is not the first such intervention by the government. In 2024, a similar crackdown saw 18 OTT platforms, including Dreams Films, Rabbit, Hunters, and Prime Play, being blocked for similar violations. Former Central Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar, who heads the ‘Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation,’ lauded the recent ban, calling it a “digital surgical strike” and a “victory for every Indian family.”

The MIB’s action underscores the government’s commitment to regulating digital content and enforcing adherence to the nation’s laws and cultural norms. It sends a clear message to content creators and platforms that while digital media offers vast creative freedom, it must operate within the established legal and ethical framework of the country.