Government Cracks Down on OTT Platforms: ULLU, ALTBalaji Among 25 Banned for Obscene Content. The central government has imposed a ban on OTT platforms such as ALTBalaji and ULLU, citing the presence of obscene, vulgar, and pornographic material. The decision aims to curb the spread of inappropriate content and uphold digital content standards across streaming services.
In a significant crackdown on explicit digital content, the central government has banned 25 apps and websites, including ALTBalaji, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, and Gulab App.
Official sources stated that the platforms were found to be hosting obscene, vulgar, and pornographic material, prompting regulatory action to uphold public decency and digital safety.
According to sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the government has ordered the blocking of websites and apps associated with 25 OTT platforms. The action was taken due to allegations that these platforms were hosting content deemed “obscene,” “vulgar,” and, in some instances, “pornographic,” violating established content and IT guidelines.
Govt Crackdown Triggered by Serious Legal Violations in OTT Content: Sources
Officials familiar with the matter revealed that several of the banned OTT platforms were found to be streaming content rife with sexual innuendos and, in some instances, prolonged scenes of sexually explicit acts involving nudity.
The content was described as “pornographic in nature,” with little to no meaningful storyline, theme, or social message. Instead, these platforms largely relied on obscene and vulgar visuals, prompting regulatory action from authorities.
Authorities also raised concerns over the portrayal of nudity and sexual content in highly inappropriate contexts, including depictions involving family relationships and other culturally sensitive settings.
Sources indicated that such portrayals were deemed deeply offensive and in violation of Indian content regulations, contributing to the government’s decision to ban the platforms.
Despite the sweeping crackdown on 25 OTT platforms
Government Cracks Down on OTT Platforms, for allegedly hosting obscene and pornographic content, the government has not yet released an official public notification regarding the bans. This isn’t the first time these platforms have faced backlash.
Back in April, the Supreme Court issued notices to the central government and major digital platforms after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) called for stricter regulation against the Streaming of Sexually Explicit Content on OTT and Social Media Under Scrutiny.
The Supreme Court’s notice was addressed to the Centre, as well as major platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, ULLU, ALTT, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others, highlighting growing concerns over the unchecked streaming of explicit content.
According to PTI, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih acknowledged the gravity of the matter concerning sexually explicit SC says regulation of OTT content falls under executive or legislative purview, not judiciary.
“It’s not our domain, you do something,” the Supreme Court remarked, according to PTI, urging the executive or legislature to take appropriate action
The National Commission for Women (NCW) and several political leaders have flagged objectionable content on ULLU, calling for stricter regulation of OTT platforms.
ULLU faced backlash in May after a scene from its web series House Arrest, starring Ajaz Khan, went viral for allegedly vulgar content. Leaders across the political spectrum, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, condemned the video.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi’s comments on X underscore the growing political pressure on OTT platforms like ULLU and ALTBalaji. By pointing out their evasion of previous bans issued by the I&B Ministry, she highlighted gaps in current regulatory mechanisms and called for stricter oversight to curb the spread of obscene content online.
Her statement also signals rising demand within parliamentary circles for accountability and content moderation in the digital entertainment space. Following widespread outrage over the House Arrest web series, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo moto cognizance of the matter.
The commission strongly criticised the portrayal of women in the series and warned that regulatory action, including a complete ban on the platform, could follow if necessary.