The Indian government issued the blocking directive on July 23, 2025, with public reporting on July 25, 2025.
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| Full List: 25 OTT Platforms Banned by Indian Government for Pornographic Content | July 2025 Crackdown |
In a major crackdown under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disable access to 25 OTT platforms. These platforms were accused of distributing sexually explicit, vulgar, or pornographic content, often lacking narrative or artistic merit.
Legal Grounds Cited:
- Sections 67 and 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 25 Banned OTT Platforms
- Adda TV
- ALTT (formerly ALT Balaji)
- Big Shots App
- Boomex
- Bull App
- Desiflix
- Feneo
- Fugi
- Gulab App
- Hitprime
- HotX VIP
- Hulchul App
- Jalva App
- Kangan App
- Look Entertainment
- Mojflix
- MoodX
- Navarasa Lite
- NeonX VIP
- ShowHit
- ShowX
- Sol Talkies
- Triflicks
- ULLU
- Wow Entertainment
Context and Background
This action follows previous warnings and advisories:
- Formal notices were issued in September 2024
- A detailed advisory in February 2025 instructed platforms to comply with India’s Code of Ethics
- Despite these steps, several platforms continued to publish offensive content or attempted to evade scrutiny by switching domain names or IP addresses
The Ministry worked closely with multiple departments and industry stakeholders, including the Ministries of Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, and Legal Affairs, along with input from organizations like FICCI, CII, and digital content experts.
Challenges and Enforcement Issues
- Several platforms attempted to circumvent bans by launching mirror websites or apps under different names
- The MIB informed a Parliamentary Standing Committee that technical countermeasures are being developed to address these evasions
- The government is also considering stricter enforcement under the upcoming Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill
Why This Ban Matters
- Public Morality and Protection of Minors
The crackdown aims to prevent minors from being exposed to inappropriate and degrading content available on these platforms. - Enforcing Indian Laws
The platforms violated multiple Indian laws related to obscenity, representation of women, and IT regulations. - Impact on OTT Industry
Popular platforms like ULLU and ALTT (once part of Balaji Telefilms, valued over ₹1,200 crore) have faced significant disruption. Many lesser-known apps are now completely inaccessible. - Clear Message to Content Creators
The ban signals that the government will not tolerate unchecked digital content, especially when it violates cultural norms and legal boundaries.