Govt blocks Ullu, ALTT, and 23 other OTT platforms over obscene, 'pornographic' content

The government has directed the blocking of websites and apps of 25 OTT platforms that contain obscene, vulgar, and in some cases, pornographic content, according to sources. The OTT platforms blocked by the government are Ullu, Mojflix, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, ShowHit, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Fugi, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, ALTT, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, and Triflicks.

Sources suggest the action was taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021, by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), MeitY, Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts in the field of women's rights and children's rights.

The government has issued notifications to various intermediaries to ensure that access to the concerned websites and apps is disabled. The government’s action covers 25 parent OTT platforms, 26 URLs/websites linked to them, and 14 apps distributing their content. These apps were available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Why were these apps and platforms banned?

These websites and apps included sexual innuendos and, in some cases, long portions of sexually explicit scenes involving nudity, thereby being pornographic. Most of the content hardly offered any storyline, theme, or message in a social context. They often depicted nudity and sex in several inappropriate contexts, including family relationships.

Sources suggest the contents of these platforms violate Section 67 of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. Some published sexually explicit content in violation of Section 67A of the IT Act.

Why was the action taken now?

The government's action comes after it received various alerts from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in July and August 2024, specifically regarding the platforms Ullu and ALTT.

It's not the first time the Centre has acted against such platforms. MIB’s earlier actions included banning Ullu’s web series ‘House Arrest’ in May 2025; a February advisory for OTT platforms to adhere to the Code of Ethics; and communications issued in September 2024 to all 25 platforms.

Sources say the banned websites were warned by the government in September 2024, but they continued to publish obscene and, in some cases pornographic, pornographic content. Five platforms, which were blocked in March 2024, started publishing obscene content on new website domains, they add.

The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory body for OTT platforms, has taken action against content lacking justification for explicit scenes and ordered edits to ALTT shows and the removal of over 100 web series from Ullu, which was found re-uploading unedited versions despite prior warnings.