The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has taken action, in coordination with various intermediaries, to block 18 OTT platforms publishing obscene, vulgar, and, in some instances, pornographic content. 19 websites, 10 apps (7 on the Google Play Store and 3 on the Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts associated with these platforms have been disabled for public access in India.
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur has repeatedly emphasized the responsibility of the platforms to not propagate obscenity, vulgarity, and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’. On March 12, 2024, Shri Thakur announced that 18 OTT platforms publishing obscene and vulgar content had been taken down.
The recent decision was taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, in consultation with other ministries and departments of the Government of India, and domain experts specializing in media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights.
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Why Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Block 18 OTT Apps
- Government Action: The Indian government has blocked 18 OTT platforms for publishing content deemed vulgar, obscene, or pornographic
- Disabled Access: Along with the OTT platforms, 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts related to these platforms have been disabled
- Legal Grounds: The action was taken under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and other laws like the Indian Penal Code and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.
- Previous Measures: This crackdown follows a similar action in 2020, when several Chinese apps were banned for promoting hate or sexual content.
How the 18 Apps Bans Will Impact the OTT Industry
One of the OTT apps amassed more than 1 crore downloads, while two others had over 50 lakh downloads on the Google Play Store. Additionally, these OTT platforms extensively utilize social media to disseminate trailers, specific scenes, and external links aimed at attracting audiences to their websites and apps. The social media accounts of the concerned OTT platforms had a cumulative followership of over 32 lakh users.
| Social Media Platform | Number of Accounts |
| 12 | |
| 17 | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | 16 |
| YouTube | 12 |
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What is the name of 18 OTT platforms that have been banned now:
According to the press release, “The Government of India remains committed to fostering the growth and development of the OTT industry. Several measures have been undertaken in this regard, including the introduction of the Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series at the 54th International Film Festival of India, collaboration with OTT platforms in the media and entertainment sector, and the establishment of a light touch regulatory framework with an emphasis on self-regulation under the IT Rules, 2021.”
| List of Banned OTT Platforms | |
| Dreams Films | Yessma |
| Neon X VIP | Hunters |
| MoodX | Hot Shots VIP |
| Voovi | Tri Flicks |
| Besharams | Xtramood |
| Mojflix | Chikooflix |
| Uncut Adda | X Prime |
| Rabbit | Nuefliks |
| Fugi | Prime Play |
Why the Ministry of I&B Banned the OTT Platform
The Ministry of I&B consistently conducts sensitization efforts with OTT platforms and their self-regulatory bodies established under the IT Rules, 2021 through meetings, webinars, workshops, etc.
The Government of India remains committed to fostering the growth and development of the OTT industry. Several measures have been undertaken in this regard, including the introduction of the Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series at the 54th International Film Festival of India, collaboration with OTT platforms in the media and entertainment sector, and the establishment of a light touch regulatory framework with an emphasis on self-regulation under the IT Rules, 2021.
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