The government has taken action against 25 apps and websites that have published obscene content. This crackdown was carried out under the Information Technology Act, 2000, targeting apps like AltBalaji, Big Shots, and Ullu for their allegedly indecent portrayal of women. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting previously issued a warning to OTT and social media platforms in January concerning the presence of offensive content.
Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that these platforms had violated multiple laws, including Section 67 and Section 67A of the IT Act, 2000, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Section 67 of the IT Act specifically prohibits the publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form.
The government’s objective with this action is to restrict minors’ access to offensive online content and ensure that digital content complies with decency and the law, according to sources.
List of Banned Apps:
- AltBalaji
- Ullu
- Big Shots App
- Desiflix
- 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
A report by StoryBoard18 revealed that ISPs have been instructed to block public access to these apps and video streaming sites. Additionally, Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, stipulates that intermediaries will lose their liability exemption if they fail to adhere to the directive of removing or blocking access to material facilitating unlawful acts after notification.
This crackdown follows a previous ban on 18 OTT platforms in March 2024 that were accused of showcasing obscene content. These platforms were found in violation of the IT Act, Indian Penal Code, and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The government also restricted public access to 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts associated with the OT platforms.
