25 OTT platforms banned for displaying vulgar content

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed blocking of websites and apps of 25 OTT platforms for displaying obscene, vulgar and, in some cases, pornographic content.

The content on 25 websites has been blocked while the content was also blocked on 14 apps of these websites -- nine of those on Google Play Store and five on the Apple App Store.

The orders were issued after the nature of content on these platforms was found to contain sexual innuendos and in some cases long portions of sexually explicit scenes involving nudity, thereby being pornographic in nature. There was hardly any storyline, theme or message in a social context. A large portion of the content was obscene and vulgar.

Depiction of nudity and sex in several inappropriate contexts, including the relationships such as family relationships, etc, was found.

Content of these platforms was found to be in violation of 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 published sexually explicit content in violation of Section 67-A of the IT Act.

References were received from National Commission on Protection of Child Rights in July and August 2024. Multiple public grievances against the platforms concerned had been received.

An advisory dated February 19 was issued for OTT platforms asking them to adhere to Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021, and laws related to obscenity in India.

Communication was sent in September 2024 to all 25 platforms, however, the platforms continued to publish obscene, and in some cases, pornographic content.

Five of these platforms were blocked in March 2024, but they started publishing obscene content on new website domains.

The action was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Electronics and IT.

The government has utilised the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021, and notifications have been issued to the various intermediaries to ensure that access to the websites and apps concerned is disabled.