Srinagar, July 25: In a major step to curb the spread of illegal online content, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block public access to 25 websites within the country. These platforms were identified as hosting material that violates Indian laws.
The directive falls under the framework of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics).
The Ministry identified ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex,Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, Triflicks being in violation of various laws, including Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act states that intermediaries are not exempt from liability if they fail to remove or disable access to unlawful material after being notified by the government. Additionally, Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules mandates that intermediaries must not host or publish content that affects India’s sovereignty, security, public order, decency, morality, or foreign relations, among other sensitive concerns.
The MIB also invoked Rule 7, which clarifies that intermediaries not complying with these provisions will lose their safe harbour under Section 79(1) and may face penalties under applicable laws.
Furthermore, Part III of the IT Rules, overseen by the MIB, applies to digital news publishers and OTT platforms, requiring them to follow a Code of Ethics. This code prohibits the publication or transmission of any unlawful content, reinforcing the government’s push for digital accountability.
