In a major regulatory action, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has directed the blocking of 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms such as Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix for streaming content classified as obscene or pornographic in nature. The directive, released on July 23, aims to cripple the websites as well as the mobile applications of these platforms under the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2021. Government officials established that this comprehensive action had been carried out in concert with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Electronics & IT and the Department of Legal Affairs, industry associations such as FICCI and CII, and subject matter experts in women and children's rights.

The move is a simultaneous crackdown on platforms that have been long in the dock for violating digital content rules. Official sources say 26 sites and 14 mobile applications linked to these platforms were identified as hosting or sharing pornographic and, in some instances, obscene material. The government had already received a volley of public complaints, and most of these OTT platforms had already been under observation by regulatory and advisory authorities.

This is not the first time that such platforms as Ullu and ALTT have landed in trouble. Just last May 2025, the Ullu app had to take down its web series House Arrest after the Ministry of I&B intervened. The platforms have also landed in trouble earlier in July and August 2024, when the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) raised the alarm over their content being overtly obscene.

The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory organization consisting of about 40 OTT platforms like Ullu and ALTT, has also acted in the past. The Council, which is led by a former Supreme Court judge, had earlier ordered the deletion of more than 100 web series from Ullu. It noted that the platform would briefly take down or edit offensive content, only to upload it again shortly thereafter in its original form—obviously trying to circumvent regulatory advisories.

On a similar case, the DPCGC highlighted particular scenes of web series on ALTT as "distasteful and bizarre," with sex and nudity added without any context-based justification. ALT Digital, a company owned by Balaji Telefilms, is promoted by successful Indian television producers Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor. On the other hand, the Ullu App is headed by media entrepreneur Vibhu Agarwal.

Although the government issued several warnings and advisories, several of these platforms continued streaming adult content. In September 2024, all 25 platforms were officially informed of the complaints and to comply with Indian cyber and content laws. Subsequently, in February 2025, the Ministry of I&B released an advisory requesting OTT platforms to adhere to the Code of Ethics specified under the IT Rules, 2021. Nevertheless, a number of platforms not only disregarded these orders but also tried to skirt prohibitions by creating new sites and domains.

The five previously banned platforms in March 2024 were discovered distributing obscene content once more through alternative domains, according to officials. The investigations uncovered that the majority of their content consisted of sexual innuendos, prolonged nudity, and pornographic content with minimal or no plot, theme, or socially oriented messaging.

The I&B Ministry confirmed that the banned platforms were in violation of multiple Indian laws. These include:

• Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000, which prohibits publishing obscene material online.

• Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes the sale and distribution of obscene books, pamphlets, or any material.

• Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, which bars any form of indecent depiction of women.

• Section 67A of the IT Act, which specifically addresses the publication of sexually explicit content in electronic form.

Authorities have also highlighted that some of these web series depicted nudity and sex in inappropriate familial contexts, making the content even more objectionable.

Here is the complete list of the 25 OTT platforms now banned in India for violating content norms:

• ALTT

• Ullu

• Desiflix

• Big Shots App

• 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

• Triflicks

This move gives a clear indication that the Indian government is increasingly clamping down on the online entertainment sector, particularly regarding content that goes against public decency, women's dignity, and child protection norms. Creative freedom is of course necessary, but platforms do need to acknowledge their legal and ethical obligation. The latest move can make enforcement stricter and perhaps even introduce stricter laws, if content creators persist in disregarding current rules.

For audiences, this also acts as a warning to be careful about what they watch and the websites they patronize. As India looks to develop a secure and responsible digital media environment, such steps while unpopular with some seem unavoidable.