In a significant move to regulate digital content, the Indian government has banned 25 Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, including popular names like ULLU and ALTT, citing the dissemination of obscene and sexually explicit content. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has directed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block public access to these platforms across India. This action comes after multiple warnings and grievances against these platforms for violating Indian laws and cultural standards.
The banned platforms include ULLU, ALTT, Desiflix, Big Shots App, 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. These platforms were found to be in violation of Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. These laws prohibit the publication and transmission of sexually explicit content and the indecent representation of women.
The government's decision was influenced by the fact that the content on these platforms was largely explicit and contained long sequences of nudity and pornographic visuals, often lacking any storyline, theme, or message in a social context. Some content also depicted inappropriate sexual situations involving family relationships, further aggravating concerns over legality and decency. The ban aims to curb the easy availability of pornographic material, particularly to minors, and to ensure that digital content remains within the bounds of decency and the law.
Prior to the ban, the government had issued advisories to the OTT platforms to adhere to the Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021, and laws related to obscenity in India. However, these platforms allegedly continued to host and stream objectionable content. In September 2024, the government communicated with all 25 platforms, highlighting the issue, but the platforms continued to publish obscene and, in some cases, pornographic content. The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) had also criticized ALTT, stating that the app's content was "totally distasteful and bizarre," with sex and nudity being shown without any contextual justification.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has emphasized that intermediaries, including platforms and ISPs, will lose their safe harbor protections if they fail to remove or disable access to unlawful content after being notified, as per Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act. The government has explicitly directed Internet Service Providers to disable or remove public access to these websites within India.
This is not the first time that platforms like ULLU and ALTT have come under the government's scanner. In July and August 2024, the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had flagged the obscene content streamed by both platforms. In May 2025, a web series called "House Arrest" was taken down by ULLU after intervention by the ministry. The council had also directed the removal of over 100 web series from Ullu after it was found that while the platform removes or edits the web series for a temporary period, it either re-uploads or publishes the unedited version after a certain period, thereby attempting to circumvent the warnings.
The decision to ban these OTT platforms was taken after consultation with the ministries of home affairs and electronics and information technology, the department of legal affairs, industry bodies FICCI and CII, as well as experts working in the domain of women and child rights. The government has made it clear that it is committed to enforcing digital content regulations and ensuring adherence to the laws in the country.
