Government bans 25 OTT platforms including ALTT, Ullu, Desiflix and others over alleged obscene content violations

Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada informed the Lok Sabha on February 11 that the central government has blocked 25 OTT platforms in 2025 over the circulation of objectionable material. The action was carried out by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) after consultations with the Ministry of Home Affairs and authorities working in the field of child and women’s welfare.According to the government, these digital platforms were allegedly streaming obscene, vulgar and, in certain instances, pornographic content under the banner of entertainment. Following the directive, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were instructed to restrict public access, while app marketplaces including the Apple App Store and Google Play Store were asked to remove the concerned applications.Among the platforms blocked are ALTT (ALTBalaji), Ullu, Big Shots App, Desiflix and Boomex. The action also covers NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App and Bull App. Other names included in the government’s order are ShowHit, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment and Hitprime. The list further extends to Fugi, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, Triflicks and Mojflix.As stated by Latestly, the government based its decision largely on provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Sections 67 and 67A which deal with publishing or transmitting obscene and sexually explicit material in electronic form were cited as key legal grounds for the ban.Additionally, authorities stated that the platforms violated the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Officials observed that much of the content lacked substantial narratives or social relevance, instead relying heavily on explicit visuals and sensational sequences to drive traffic and subscriptions.The crackdown followed months of monitoring. In September 2024, the government had issued advisories urging these platforms to comply with the prescribed Code of Ethics. However, subsequent probes by the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) reportedly found that several services continued to bypass guidelines, ultimately leading to the enforcement action in 2025.