The ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) has blocked 43 OTT platforms for violating India’s digital content regulations, citing the spread of explicit, adult, violent, and culturally insensitive material.
Union minister for information & broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the enforcement action in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In February, the MIB issued an advisory urging platforms to comply with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
These rules mandate a code of ethics, age-based content classification, and safeguards against unlawful material under the IT Act, 2000.
On July 23, a day before submitting its report to a Parliamentary panel, the ministry directed internet service providers to block 25 specific OTT platforms, including ULLU, ALTT, Desiflix, Boomex, Hitprime, ShowX, and Mojflix.
These platforms were found to be in violation of Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, 2000, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
In March 2024, it ordered the blocking of 18 OTT platforms for disseminating obscene and, in some cases, pornographic content. As part of that enforcement, 19 websites, 10 mobile applications (seven on the Google Play Store and three on the Apple App Store), and 57 associated social media accounts were made inaccessible to the public in India. Copies of the orders were also sent to Delhi Police for further legal action.
In its submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, MIB said it continues to receive complaints about blocked platforms reappearing under new names or IP addresses. The ministry is reviewing these cases and considering further action.
The committee, in its report on the 2024–25 Demands for Grants, requested updates on pending grievances and enforcement actions taken by the ministry and the Delhi Police. It also sought clarity on the steps taken to strengthen editorial checks and prevent misuse of freedom of expression through vulgar content or fake news.
