Surprisingly, the Centre just dropped a bomb on the OTT platforms by banning Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix over obscene content. Known for their boundary-pushing content, these platforms have now been officially banned for promoting obscene and vulgar material. While some consider it a necessary step to protect cultural values.
I&B Ministry Banned 25 OTT Platforms
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has officially ordered that 25 OTT platforms, including Ullu, ALTT, and Big Shots App, have their public access blocked for airing pornographic as well as obscene content. On July 23, they added that they received instructions to restrict the websites and apps of these 25 OTT platforms.
According to reports, the Department of Legal Affairs, industry associations FICCI and CII, the Ministries of Home Affairs and Electronics and Information Technology, as well as specialists in the fields of women’s and children’s rights, were consulted before the decision was made.
List Of All Banned Platforms
- Big Shots App
- ALTT
- ULLU
- Navarasa Lite
- Desiflix
- Sol Talkies
- Hitprime
- Wow Entertainment
- Gulab App
- Kangan App
- Triflicks
- NeonX VIP
- MoodX
- HotX VIP
- ShowX
- Look Entertainment
- Boomex
- Feneo
- Bull App
- Jalva App
- Adda TV
- Fugi
- Hulchul App
- Show Hit
- Mojflix
The government’s firm stand against vulgarity in digital media is demonstrated by this significant crackdown. Public morality and social responsibility must not be sacrificed for the sake of freedom of expression.
The action also emphasizes the necessity of stricter content control, increased self-regulation by OTT platforms, and viewer awareness, particularly among youngsters.
Which Laws Were Broken By These Platforms?
The MIB claims that these platforms broke several laws, which are:
- The Information Technology Act of 2000, Sections 67 and 67A
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 294
- The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of 1986, Section 4
Officials claim that a lot of the video that was streamed on these platforms was sexually explicit, vulgar, and without any social value. Following numerous complaints from members of Parliament, activists, and the general public accusing these apps of spreading a lot of vulgarity, that’s why these apps were banned.
MIB Mentions The IT Act’s Intermediary Duties
According to reports, “MIB has also intimated to the Director (DS-II), Department of Telecommunications, with a request to facilitate compliance by the ISPs”. This action shows the government’s commitment to upholding national laws and enforcing regulations about digital content.
A petition for a ban on sexually explicit content on social media and over-the-top (OTT) platforms was answered by the Supreme Court in April.
The SC remarked, “It’s not our domain, you do something.” The Solicitor General mentioned current regulations and further measures that are being considered, but the Justices again underlined the necessity of executive action.
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