25 OTT platforms banned for ‘obscene’ content

The Government of India has issued an order directing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access nationwide to 25 OTT platforms and websites, including well-known apps such as Ullu, ALTT (formerly ALT Balaji) and Desiflix, on the grounds of allegedly hosting obscene, vulgar and pornographic content.

Legal basis & content violations

The government found a majority of the banned platforms in contravention of key legal provisions:

1. Section 67 and Section 67A of the IT Act, regarding electronic transmission of obscene and sexually explicit material;
2. Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, governing obscenity;
3. Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, focused on the misrepresentation of women.
   
   The content reportedly featured extended nudity, sexual innuendos and explicit scenes, frequently devoid of narrative or social context. Some depicted inappropriate relationships, including incest-like scenarios and teacher–student interactions. The notification described this material as obscene, vulgar and degrading to women.

Reach & platforms blocked

• Platforms blocked: 25 OTT services, affecting both sites and apps
• Content distribution: Several had large user bases — one app had over 1 crore downloads, another over 50 lakh.
• Social media presence: Together, these networks had over 3.2 million followers, used to promote provocative content and drive traffic to the apps/websites.

Partial list of banned platforms

Among the platforms named in government orders are:

Ullu, ALTT (ALT Balaji), Desiflix, Big Shots, Gulab App, Navarasa Lite, Wow Entertainment, MoodX, Mojflix, Triflicks and others, totalling 25 services.

Broader judicial context

This action follows a significant intervention by the Supreme Court of India. On April 28, 2025, SC issued notices to the Union government and major OTT and social media platforms — including Netflix, Prime Video, Ullu, ALTT and Meta platforms — on a petition calling for binding regulations to curb explicit content.

The court emphasised the need for legislative oversight while advising the government to act swiftly. Officials acknowledged continued consideration of new regulatory measures beyond existing self-regulatory frameworks under the IT Rules, 2021.

What this means

The government has escalated enforcement from previous actions in March 2024 (when 18 platforms were blocked) to a broader crackdown involving 25 services.

This signals stronger regulatory momentum aligned with repeated calls from the judiciary and policymakers for legal mechanisms to oversee digital content, especially adult-themed material.

All banned platforms are subject to continued legal scrutiny and likely to face additional regulatory or judicial measures going forward.

Summary table

Final note

This sweeping ban reflects a determined effort by Indian authorities to enforce compliance with content laws, especially regarding moral decency and the portrayal of women. Coupled with active judicial review, India looks poised to institute a formal system of content certification or oversight for OTT platforms—something akin to existing film and TV censorship, but tailored to digital streaming.