Breaking! Indian Government Bans Ullu, ALTT & 24 OTT Platforms for Obscene Content Violations
In a landmark move shaking India's digital entertainment landscape, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has ordered a nationwide ban on 25 OTT platforms including industry names Ullu and ALTT. This unprecedented crackdown targets platforms accused of distributing "obscene, vulgar, and pornographic content" that violates multiple Indian laws and cultural values .
Latest Update: As of July 25, 2025, internet service providers have been directed to block public access to 26 websites and 14 mobile applications (9 from Google Play Store, 5 from Apple App Store) associated with these platforms. The ban follows 10 months of government warnings and industry self-regulation failures .
The Offending Content: Why Government Took Action
According to ministry documents, the banned platforms consistently hosted content featuring:
- Prolonged sexually explicit scenes with nudity deemed "pornographic in nature"
- Sexual depictions in inappropriate contexts including family relationships
- Content with "hardly any storyline, theme or message in a social context"
- Material dominated by "obscene and vulgar" visuals designed to augment viewership
Officials emphasized that such content wasn't merely adult-themed but crossed into unlawful territory by violating India's moral and legal frameworks, particularly regarding the dignity of women and protection of minors .
Legal Hammer: Provisions Invoked for Ban
The ban leverages multiple legal instruments in a coordinated approach:
| Law/Provision | Punishment | Applicable Content Violation |
|---|---|---|
| IT Act Section 67 (Obscenity) | Up to 3 years jail + ₹5 lakh fine (first offence) | General obscene/vulgar content |
| IT Act Section 67A (Sexually Explicit Acts) | Up to 5 years jail + ₹10 lakh fine | Graphic sexual content |
| Indecent Representation of Women Act Section 4 | Up to 2 years jail (subsequent conviction) | Degrading portrayal of women |
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 294 | Up to 3 months jail + fine | Obscene acts in public (digital extension) |
The ministry utilized Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to direct intermediaries (ISPs, app stores) to disable access, a provision currently under legal challenge by X (formerly Twitter) in the Bangalore High Court .
Full List of Banned OTT Platforms
The comprehensive ban affects these 25 platforms and their associated apps/websites:
- ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji)
- 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
- Triflicks
- ShowHit
Industry Reactions & Stakeholder Responses
Ekta Kapoor's Clarification: Hours after the ban, the Balaji Telefilms producer issued a statement distancing herself from ALTT: "Ms. Ekta Kapoor and Mrs. Shobha Kapoor are not associated in any capacity whatsoever with ALTT and they had stepped down from their association with ALTT way back in June 2021" .
Political Support: BJP MP and actor Ravi Kishan welcomed the decision: "Entertainment should have its limits, a 'Lakshman Rekha'. Both licensed and unlicensed OTT platforms have been pushing soft porn and unlawful content" .
Legal Perspectives: Internet law specialist Vikram Jeet Singh noted potential legal challenges: "Affected OTT players may consider a challenge on the same grounds as X, arguing that a ban on content cannot be issued under Section 79(3)(b)" .
Chronicle of Non-Compliance: Warnings Ignored
Government documents reveal the ban culminated after systematic defiance:
- Sept 2024: All 25 platforms received formal warnings to remove objectionable content
- Feb 2025: MIB issued advisory reminding OTTs of Code of Ethics under IT Rules, 2021
- Mar 2024: Five previously blocked platforms resurfaced using new domains
- May 2025: Ullu's "House Arrest" removed after ministry intervention, only to have edited versions re-uploaded later
The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), the industry's self-regulatory body, had previously flagged Ullu for removing/editing over 100 web-series temporarily before re-uploading unedited versions .
Broader Impact & Industry Implications
This sweeping action signals several paradigm shifts:
- Child Protection Priority: NCPCR had repeatedly flagged Ullu and ALTT (Jul-Aug 2024) regarding minor accessibility
- Cultural Preservation: Groups like Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation influenced policy, calling such content a threat to India's cultural heritage
- Market Correction: Some banned apps had crossed 1 crore downloads, with collective social media followings exceeding 3.2 million
- Mainstream Platforms Warned: The government's February advisory applied to all OTTs including Netflix/Amazon, signaling industry-wide accountability
The Road Ahead: Regulation vs. Creative Freedom
As Internet Service Providers implement blocking orders, critical questions emerge:
- Will established platforms face stricter content audits despite not being banned?
- Can a balanced framework emerge that protects cultural values without stifling artistic expression?
- How will payment gateways and advertisers respond to platforms operating in regulatory grey zones?
The Supreme Court's April 2025 observation on a related PIL highlights the complexity: "It's not our domain, you do something", while acknowledging the seriousness of the issue .
This watershed moment represents the largest coordinated action against digital content providers in India's history. It establishes a precedent for how the country will navigate the tension between creative freedom, cultural preservation, and legal accountability in the streaming era. As the blocked platforms contemplate legal challenges and consumers adjust to the new landscape, one truth emerges clearly: The era of unregulated explicit content on Indian OTT platforms has reached its expiration date .
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