25 OTT sites blocked over obscene content

The government has blocked 25 over-the-top entertainment platforms for hosting obscene, vulgar and pornographic content, in a sweeping crackdown on unlawful digital entertainment that officials say violates multiple laws and degrades women.

- Sejal Sharma

The blocking order, passed on July 23 by the ministry of information and broadcasting, targets both established and emerging platforms including Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, Desiflix and 21 others.

The action covers 26 websites and 14 mobile applications, with nine apps removed from the Google Play Store and five from the Apple App Store.

The ministry acted under section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, which empowers government to direct intermediaries to remove access to unlawful content when they fail to respond to official notices, two MIB officials told HT.