Five OTT platforms blocked by centre for streaming 'obscene' content

The Union government has barred access to five OTT platforms over content it described as obscene, vulgar and pornographic.

Officials said the services—MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel and Jugnu—were blocked by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting after following prescribed procedures under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2021. They indicated that directions were issued to disable access to these apps and websites, TNIE reported.

Sources said the platforms were found to be hosting material containing sexual innuendo and, in several instances, prolonged sexually explicit scenes involving nudity, which authorities said violated provisions of the IT Act.

They added that the ministry routinely receives complaints about OTT content and, after scrutiny and due process, takes action when violations are established.

Officials noted that similar action had been taken last July, when at least 25 OTT platforms were blocked on comparable grounds, including services such as Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots, Desiflix, NeonX VIP, Gulab App, Kangan App, Hulchul App and MoodX. They said notices had been issued to those platforms before the ban, but the content in question continued to be published.

The blocking orders, according to the government, were issued after consultations involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), and industry bodies such as FICCI and CII, and experts working on women’s and children’s rights.

Officials said such directions are issued when content is found to breach section 67 of the IT Act, section 292 of the IPC, and section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

They also pointed out that OTT platforms had earlier been advised to comply with the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021 and existing laws on obscenity.