The Centre has prohibited at least 25 Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms for disseminating obscene and vulgar content. The digital services that have been banned—both websites and applications—include Big Shots, Desiflix, NeonX VIP, Gulab App, Kangan App, Hulchul App, MoodX, Ullu, and ALTT.

This decision was made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, MeitY, the Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), as well as industry organizations like FICCI and CII, and experts focused on women’s and children’s rights.

“By utilizing the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021, notifications have been sent to various intermediaries to ensure that access to the specified websites and apps is blocked,” officials stated.

Officials noted that the type of content available on these platforms includes sexual innuendos and, in some instances, extensive segments of sexually explicit scenes featuring nudity, thus categorizing it as pornographic.

“There was scarcely any storyline, theme, or social message. A significant amount of the content was deemed obscene and vulgar. The portrayal of nudity and sexual acts in several inappropriate contexts, including familial relationships, etc… The content from these platforms violates section 67 of the IT Act, section 292 of the IPC, and section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. Some platforms have published sexually explicit material in contravention of Section 67A of the IT Act,” officials further explained.

Previously, the Government received several references from the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in July and August 2024 concerning the platforms Ullu and ALTT.

Earlier, the web series ‘House Arrest’ was removed by Ullu in May 2025 following intervention from the Ministry.

In February, an advisory was issued to OTT platforms urging them to comply with the Code of Ethics outlined in the IT Rules, 2021, as well as laws concerning obscenity.

In September, a communication was dispatched to all 25 platforms; however, they persisted in publishing obscene content, including some pornographic material, according to officials.

Five platforms that had been blocked earlier in March 2024 resumed publishing obscene content on new website domains.

Previously, action was taken by the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory organization led by a former Supreme Court judge of India, which includes around 40 OTT platforms, such as ALTT and Ullu.

Officials noted, “The Council determined that certain scenes were completely distasteful and bizarre, depicting sex and nudity without any contextual justification solely to increase viewership.”

It was discovered that ULLU removes or edits its web series temporarily, only to re-upload or release the unedited version after some time, thereby attempting to evade the warnings.