Indian Government Has Banned 25 OTT Platforms: In a major move to clean up digital content, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has banned 25 OTT platforms accused of streaming obscene, vulgar, and pornographic material. Popular apps and websites like Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix, Big Shots App, and Feneo are among those blocked for violating Indian content regulations.
The crackdown, which took place on July 25, 2025, is part of a growing effort by the Indian government to safeguard cultural values and protect public decency in the digital space.
Why Were the OTT Platforms Banned?
According to the Ministry, the platforms were found to be distributing content with excessive nudity, sexual innuendos, and explicit scenes—often without any storyline, social relevance, or artistic context.
Officials stated that the decision followed intense consultations with various government agencies, including:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Department of Legal Affairs
Inputs were also taken from civil society, legal experts, and industry bodies such as FICCI and CII, along with activists working in the field of women and child rights.
Legal Framework Behind the Ban
The platforms were blocked under:
Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000
IT Rules, 2021
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
A total of 26 websites and 14 mobile apps were disabled—nine on Google Play Store and five on Apple App Store.
The Ministry emphasized that these platforms not only showed pornographic content but also showcased inappropriate themes involving family relations, violating Indian laws and societal norms.
Repeated Warnings and Escalating Complaints
This action wasn’t sudden. The government had repeatedly warned OTT platforms in the past. Some key developments leading up to the ban include:
In May 2025, the Ministry forced Ullu to take down a controversial web series titled “House Arrest.”
On February 19, 2025, the Ministry issued a formal advisory urging OTT platforms to follow the Code of Ethics laid out in IT Rules 2021.
Complaints from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in July and August 2024 raised alarms about inappropriate content targeting vulnerable audiences.
Additionally, the Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation, led by Uday Mahurkar, called for strict action. The organization even demanded monitoring of big platforms like Netflix, accusing them of content that could harm India’s moral and cultural fabric.
Content Found to be Violating Norms
According to officials, many of these web series and films lacked:
Meaningful storytelling
Social messages
Artistic or cultural relevance
Instead, they were reportedly filled with long scenes of nudity and sexual activity purely to boost viewer engagement and monetization.
The Ministry cited multiple series where characters engaged in sexual activities within family setups, further worsening the issue.
Attempts to Evade Regulations
Interestingly, some platforms that had previously been banned resurfaced with new domain names or modified app names, trying to bypass government restrictions.
This includes five platforms that were already blocked in March 2024 but reappeared with the same kind of objectionable content. The Ministry noted this as a deliberate and illegal tactic to evade the law.
Role of the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC)
The DPCGC, a self-regulatory body consisting of about 40 OTT platforms, also played a part in identifying and acting against violators. Headed by a former Supreme Court judge, the council had previously:
Issued multiple notices to ALTT and Ullu
Flagged content as “bizarre and distasteful”
Reported cases where platforms removed content temporarily, only to re-upload it later in unedited form
This behavior clearly indicated an intent to deceive regulators, prompting stronger action.
The Government’s Message: Digital Responsibility is a Must
The ban sends a clear message: online content creators and platforms must operate within the legal and ethical framework set by Indian law.
The Ministry stressed the importance of:
Upholding Indian cultural values
Protecting minors from harmful exposure
Ensuring accountability among content distributors
The action also sets a precedent for stronger regulation in the OTT space, ensuring that creative freedom does not cross ethical boundaries.
What’s Next for OTT Content in India?
As India’s OTT industry continues to grow, platforms must balance creative liberty with cultural sensitivity. Experts believe:
More stringent regulations may soon be introduced
Licensing or content filtering systems could be enforced
Public complaints mechanisms will become more robust
While the crackdown may impact smaller platforms, it also offers an opportunity to create meaningful, socially relevant content that respects India’s values.
Conclusion
The Indian government’s move to ban 25 OTT platforms marks a pivotal moment in the country’s digital content regulation history. With increasing access to the internet across age groups, it’s crucial to maintain standards of decency, legality, and responsibility.
This development highlights the need for OTT platforms to align their content with legal norms and community standards, or risk facing serious consequences.
