Centre Bans 25 OTT Platforms Over Obscene, Pornographic Content
Among the blocked platforms are popular names like ALTT, the OTT arm of Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, and Ullu, both of which have previously courted controversy over adult-themed web series.
In a major crackdown on vulgar and sexually explicit content, the central government on Friday banned the websites and apps of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms for allegedly hosting obscene, vulgar, and pornographic material.
Among the blocked platforms are popular names like ALTT, the OTT arm of Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, and Ullu, both of which have previously courted controversy over adult-themed web series. Following the announcement, Balaji Telefilms’ shares slumped sharply on the bourses.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the ban was imposed after extensive consultations with the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, the Department of Legal Affairs, and industry bodies such as FICCI and CII.
Other lesser-known platforms now blocked include Big Shots, Desiflix, Boomex, NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, MoodX, ShowX, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowHit, Look Entertainment, Jalva, and Mojflix, among others.
The ministry said these platforms violated provisions under: Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, 2000--Section 292 of the IPC--Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
In total, 26 websites and 14 mobile apps (nine on Google Play Store and five on Apple App Store) were taken down. Intermediaries have also been directed to block access entirely, as per the IT Rules, 2021.
A senior government official said the content lacked artistic or narrative merit and was focused solely on “deliberate sexual innuendo and objectification.” The material was described as “highly objectionable,” with long scenes of nudity and sexually suggestive content often involving inappropriate relationships, without any meaningful storyline or message.
The ban follows repeated warnings. In July and August 2024, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) flagged Ullu and ALTT for explicit content and urged intervention. In February 2025, the ministry had issued an advisory directing OTT platforms to comply with the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules. Written notices were also sent to all 25 platforms in September 2024, but violations reportedly continued.
In a related development, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre on April 28, 2025, in response to a petition filed by former Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar, seeking a nationwide ban on sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms.
Notably, Ullu removed its controversial show House Arrest in May 2025 after ministerial pressure, only to resume similar content later. Officials noted that five of the banned platforms had previously been blocked in March 2024, but resurfaced under new domains, defying regulations.
The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) — a self-regulatory body headed by a former Supreme Court judge — had earlier slammed ALTT and Ullu for “gratuitous” and “bizarre” depictions of sex and nudity. Investigations revealed that over 100 web series were removed from Ullu, only to be quietly re-uploaded in unedited versions.
