Update, 25th July, 2025:
India Bans 25 OTT Platforms for Obscene Content
In a major crackdown on digital obscenity, the Indian government bans 25 OTT apps & platforms for streaming indecent and pornographic content. Acting under the Information Technology Act, 2000, the decision was made in consultation with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, MeitY, Legal Affairs, and industry bodies like FICCI and CII. The primary objective is to restrict access to sexually explicit material, especially by minors, and uphold digital content standards.
Apps banned include:
ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks.
This move follows a similar action in 2023, when 18 OTT platforms and 57 social media accounts were blocked for vulgar content. Many of the banned apps had millions of downloads and followers, often pushing explicit content on social media. The government cited violations of Sections 67 & 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and the Indecent Representation of Women Act (1986). Officials emphasized that creative freedom must not cross legal and moral boundaries.
Previously, the Government of India had banned 18 OTT apps for serving Obscene and pornographic content. The government has banned the OTT apps for presenting lewd videos and indecent content despite warning. The government of India has taken this decision to regulate digital media in India.
The recent action of banning 18 OTT apps by the Government has been taken under Information Technology Rules 2021. In order to safeguard the data of crores of users, 18 OTT apps will be blocked completely.
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Government bans 25 OTT Apps (Image Source: Google)
Government Bans 18 OTT Apps
In the winter session of the Parliament, the Minister of State for IT L Murugan said that 18 OTT apps have been banned under Section 69A of the IT Act. The list of 18 OTT apps banned by the government is
- Dreams Films
- Voovi
- Yessma
- Uncut Adda
- Tri Flicks
- X Prime
- Neon X VIP
- Besharams
- Hunters
- Rabbit
- Xtramood
- Nuefliks
- MoodX
- Mojflix
- Hot Shots VIP
- Fugi
- Chikooflix
- Prime Play
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Government Bans 18 OTT apps: Files case against APP Owners
After the Government bans 18 OTT apps, it has also filed a case against the owners of these OTT platforms under section 292 of IPC.
Not only this, an order has also been given to block these apps under Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act 1986. Many of these apps were such that they had more than 1 crore downloads. These apps are used to promote trailers and clips of obscene content using platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, X, YouTube.
The ministry stated, “A substantial amount of content hosted on these platforms was found to be obscene, vulgar, and degrading to women. It featured nudity and explicit sexual acts depicted in inappropriate contexts, including relationships between teachers and students, incestuous family dynamics, and other objectionable scenarios. The material often included sexual innuendos and, in some cases, extended segments of pornographic and explicit scenes lacking any thematic or societal significance.”
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Summary
The ban aims to create a safer digital environment by curbing indecent content. The government’s proactive steps reflect its commitment to regulating online platforms and safeguarding the interests of millions of users.
