Mumbai: In coordination with various intermediaries, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) on 14 March 2024, blocked 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites, 10 apps (seven on Google Play Store, three on Apple App Store), and 57 social media handles associated with OTT platforms. This action was taken due to the publishing of obscene, vulgar, and, in some cases, pornographic content.
The banned OTT platforms are: Dreams Films, Voovi, Yessma, Uncut Adda, Tri Flicks, X Prime, Neon X VIP, Besharams, Hunters, Rabbit, Xtramood, Nuefliks, MoodX, Mojflix, Hot Shots VIP, Fugi, Chikooflix, and Prime Play.
The ban, imposed under the Information Technology Act, 2000, follows consultations "with other Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, and domain experts specializing in media and entertainment, women's rights, and child rights," according to a ministry release.
Regarding the content on these platforms, the government stated, "A significant portion of the content hosted on these platforms was found to be obscene, vulgar, and portrayed women in a demeaning manner."
Commenting on the nature of the content available on these platforms, the government added, "It depicted nudity and sexual acts in various inappropriate contexts, such as relationships between teachers and students, incestuous family relationships, etc."
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has stressed the importance for platforms to refrain from promoting obscenity, vulgarity, and abuse under the guise of 'creative expression'.
