Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), in coordination with several other government bodies, has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in India to disable access to 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, including popular names like Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix. This action, initiated on July 23, 2025, stems from allegations that these platforms were streaming obscene, vulgar, and in some instances, pornographic content.

According to government sources, the material in question included long portions of sexually explicit scenes, frequent sexual innuendos (subtle or indirect sexual suggestions), and nudity, with little or no connection to any storyline or social context. A government official described the majority of the content as "obscene and vulgar", often depicting nudity and sex in inappropriate relational contexts, including family dynamics—a portrayal considered highly unacceptable under Indian laws.

The I&B Ministry invoked the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) to issue official directives for content removal. The content also violated several Indian legal provisions:

• Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, which deal with publishing or transmitting obscene or sexually explicit material in electronic form,

• Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), concerning obscenity,

• and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, which prohibits indecent depiction of women.

This crackdown followed numerous public grievances and formal complaints from organizations like the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). In July and August 2024, the NCPCR flagged both Ullu and ALTT for streaming content deemed unsuitable and offensive. For instance, the web series “House Arrest” was taken down by Ullu in May 2025 after government intervention.

The I&B Ministry had earlier issued advisories to all 25 OTT platforms in September 2024, warning them to comply with the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021. A final advisory was sent on February 19, 2025, reiterating legal obligations and the need to refrain from publishing obscene material. However, many platforms failed to comply. Notably, five platforms that were previously blocked in March 2024 resurfaced using new domain names, continuing to publish the same type of content—clearly attempting to circumvent government regulations.

The list of 25 banned OTT platforms includes:

1. ALTT

2. Ullu

3. Desiflix

4. Big Shots App

5. Boomex

6. Navarasa Lite

7. Gulab App

8. Kangan App

9. Bull App

10. Jalva App

11. Wow Entertainment

12. Look Entertainment

13. Hitprime

14. Feneo

15. ShowX

16. Sol Talkies

17. Adda TV

18. HotX VIP

19. Hulchul App

20. MoodX

21. NeonX VIP

22. Fugi

23. Mojflix

24. Triflicks

25. ShowHit

The platforms were operating through 26 websites and 14 mobile applications (9 on Google Play Store and 5 on Apple App Store), all of which have now been blocked under the current directive.

This step follows prior interventions by the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC)—a self-regulatory body of OTT platforms, headed by a former Supreme Court judge and consisting of nearly 40 member platforms, including Ullu and ALTT. The DPCGC had already directed the removal of over 100 web series from Ullu, noting that the platform would temporarily edit or remove objectionable content, only to later re-upload the unedited versions, thereby violating regulatory norms.

Regarding ALTT, the Council observed that some series contained "distasteful and bizarre scenes" showcasing sex and nudity without contextual justification, designed solely to boost viewership metrics. As per reports, these platforms provided no real theme, message, or storyline, instead relying heavily on graphic content to draw audiences.

The recent enforcement action was taken after consultations with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and Information Technology, and the Department of Legal Affairs. Inputs were also gathered from industry bodies like FICCI and CII, as well as women and child rights experts. One of the significant advocacy groups involved, the Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation, had earlier urged the government to expand its scrutiny to mainstream platforms like Netflix, asserting that such content posed a threat to India’s cultural fabric.

As the digital content ecosystem grows, the government’s crackdown signals a clear message—creative freedom does not override legal and moral accountability. This action serves as a warning not only to small OTT platforms but also to larger players, emphasizing that compliance with Indian cyber and media laws is mandatory, and violations will face serious consequences.

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