MIB blocks 5 OTT platforms over obscene content; action taken under IT rules
New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has blocked five online streaming platforms, MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel and Jugnu, following due procedure, government sources said on Tuesday, citing the hosting of allegedly obscene content.
The action was taken under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which mandate intermediaries to ensure accountability and prevent unlawful or harmful material on digital platforms.
Part of broader crackdown
The latest move follows a major July 2025 directive in which the MIB ordered the blocking of 25 OTT platforms accused of publishing “obscene, vulgar and, in some cases, pornographic” content. Those platforms included Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, NeonX VIP and Desiflix, among others.
Also read | Vijay Deverakonda’s mom had just ONE condition for his bride, fans say Rashmika fits perfectly
According to sources, 26 websites and 14 mobile applications, nine on Google Play Store and five on Apple’s App Store, were disabled under the IT Act and the 2021 IT Rules.
Officials said much of the content on the flagged platforms featured explicit sexual innuendos, extended nudity and pornographic visuals, adding, "There was hardly any storyline, theme, or message in a social context."
Some material allegedly depicted inappropriate sexual situations involving family relationships, raising additional legal and ethical concerns.
Warnings and advisories ignored
Government sources said the platforms had received multiple communications. All 25 services were issued formal warnings in September 2024, followed by a February 2025 advisory directing OTT platforms to comply with obscenity laws and the IT Rules’ Code of Ethics.
Despite this, several platforms allegedly continued to stream objectionable content. In one instance, the series House Arrest on Ullu was taken down after ministry intervention, but authorities claim some services resumed operations using new domains after earlier blocking orders.
Multi-agency consultation
The blocking decision was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Legal Affairs, along with industry bodies FICCI and CII and subject experts on women and child rights.
The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory body headed by a former Supreme Court judge, had earlier found content on ALTT to be "totally distasteful and bizarre," stating that sex and nudity were shown without contextual justification.
The council also noted that more than 100 web series were removed from Ullu, alleging the platform temporarily edited content before re-uploading unedited versions.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had previously flagged Ullu and ALTT for alleged violations in mid-2024. Officials said the ministry also received multiple public grievances regarding the content on these platforms.
Further monitoring of OTT services is expected as the government steps up enforcement of digital content regulations. (ANI)