Centre Bans 25 OTT Platforms for Streaming Pornographic Content; Ullu, ALTT Among Those Blocked
New Delhi, 25th July 2025: The Government of India has blocked 25 OTT platforms for allegedly streaming obscene and pornographic content under the guise of entertainment. In a notification issued on Friday, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict access to these apps and associated websites.
Popular platforms like ALTT, Ullu, and Desi Flix are among those banned. Authorities claim the decision was made to curb the growing trend of sexually explicit web content that violates existing laws and ethics codes governing digital media.
This marks the second such crackdown in recent months. In March 2024, the government had similarly blocked 18 OTT platforms, along with 19 websites, 10 mobile apps, and 57 social media handles for promoting obscene material.
Government Cites Multiple Laws in Crackdown
The ban has been enforced under the following legal provisions:
Section 67, IT Act, 2000 – Prohibits publishing or transmitting obscene content online.
Section 67A, IT Act, 2000 – Criminalizes distribution of sexually explicit content.
Section 294, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 – Punishes obscene acts or utterances in public places.
Section 4, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 – Bans portrayal of women in obscene or derogatory ways.
Rise and Fall of Adult OTT Platforms
The popularity of adult-themed OTT content surged during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, with platforms like Ullu and ALTT gaining significant traction. ALTT, launched in April 2017 by television producer Ekta Kapoor, saw its viewership spike by 60% in May 2020 compared to the previous year. Its monthly active users also rose by 21%. Ullu, founded in 2018 by IIT Kanpur graduate Vibhu Agarwal, similarly gained a large user base for adult series.
Shows like Ragini MMS Returns and Gandii Baat on ALTT became viral hits, reflecting a demand for bold content during the period of restricted outdoor entertainment. A July 2020 report noted that MX Player recorded over 11 million streams in a single day for an adult comedy show, underscoring the genre’s mass appeal.
IT Rules and Content Regulation Framework
To regulate digital content, the government introduced the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, updated in April 2023. These rules outline strict content classification norms, mandatory grievance redressal mechanisms, and guidelines for digital media ethics.
The guidelines require OTT platforms to appoint Grievance Officers, clearly categorize content based on age groups, and ensure that web series or films do not contain illegal, sexually explicit, anti-national, or harmful content—especially toward women and children.
Industry’s Self-Regulation Efforts and Controversies
In 2020, several OTT platforms had collectively introduced a self-regulation code to address concerns over objectionable content.
However, incidents such as the arrest of businessman Raj Kundra in July 2021 for allegedly producing and distributing pornographic films via the Hotshot app highlighted ongoing loopholes in enforcement. Kundra was later released on bail.
OTT’s Evolution in India
India’s OTT journey began in 2008 with the launch of BigFlix by Reliance Entertainment. In 2010, NextGTV became the first mobile-based OTT app. By 2013, platforms like Ditto TV and Sony Liv enabled viewers to watch TV shows on demand. The rise of live-streaming for IPL matches, particularly on NexGTv and later Hotstar (now Disney+ Hotstar), further cemented OTT’s popularity among Indian audiences.
