MP: Man detained after recovery of MD drug dies in NCB custody

MP: Man detained after recovery of MD drug dies in NCB custody

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has banned 25 Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, including Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix and Big Shots, for hosting and distributing sexually explicit content, according to a report by Storyboard18.

 

An official directive has been issued to internet service providers (ISPs) to block public access to these platforms in India. The move aims to restrict content that is considered obscene and contrary to Indian law and cultural norms. 

What legal provisions did the platforms violate?

 

According to the MIB, these platforms violated multiple laws, including:

 

• Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000

 

• Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

 

• Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986

 

Full list of OTT platforms banned 

The banned platforms include:

 

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, and Triflicks.

 

The Indian law criminalises the distribution or performance of obscene content/ acts in public places, and, by extension, digital media does not escape public morality standards. Freedom of speech and expression is not an 'absolute right' and is subject to reasonable restrictions, say legal experts.

 

Speaking on the development, Gaurav Sahay, founding partner at Arthashastra Legal said any depiction that degrades or objectifies women, through media, is a basis to ban platforms, especially for obscene portrayal of women.

 

“OTT platforms are mandated to exercise diligence, remove unlawful content, follow a code of ethics, implement grievance redressal mechanisms, and enforce age-based content classification. Authorities can issue blocking directions under the law to protect public order, morality, or prevent cognizable offenses. Platforms risk blocking if content is deemed to violate these laws. In effect, laws are reshaping OTT freedom with stricter oversight, elevated compliance costs, and a narrowing of permissible creative boundaries in India’s digital streaming space,” said Sahay, in a communication to Business Standard.

 

MIB cites intermediary obligations under IT Act

 

The government stressed that intermediaries must act against unlawful content once notified, as per Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. Failure to comply removes the legal immunity usually granted to platforms and service providers.

 

SC pushes Centre to act legislatively on OTT obscenity

 

Earlier in April, the Supreme Court urged the Centre to “do something legislative” to control obscene content on OTT platforms and social media. The Centre informed the court that additional regulations are under active consideration.

 

Responses were also sought from OTT platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, AltBalaji, Ullu Digital and Mubi, as well as tech firms like X, Google, Meta and Apple, following a public interest litigation on OTT content regulation.

 

Ullu IPO paused after objections from regulators

 

Ullu Digital Ltd had filed a draft red herring prospectus in February 2024, aiming to raise ₹135–150 crore through an IPO—set to be the largest MSME listing by scale.

   

(This is a breaking news story. More details are awaited)