New Delhi (National Times): In a significant move aimed at curbing the spread of explicit content online, the central government has ordered a ban on several apps and websites accused of hosting obscene, vulgar, and adult material, officials confirmed on Friday.
Among the platforms facing the ban are ALTBalaji, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, and Gulab App. These platforms, many of which have previously faced criticism for borderline or adult-themed content, are now under scrutiny for allegedly violating content norms under Indian digital laws.
A senior official from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said,
“The government is committed to ensuring a safe and responsible digital ecosystem. Hosting or distributing obscene and sexually explicit content is a clear violation of legal and moral standards.”
The ban is part of a wider crackdown on OTT and digital content providers who, according to officials, have consistently ignored warnings and guidelines aimed at regulating content that may be harmful, especially for minors.
Focus on Digital Clean-Up
This move aligns with the government’s efforts to strengthen online content regulation and reinforce Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which prohibits the publishing or transmission of obscene material in electronic form.
Multiple complaints had been received over the past year from parents, civil society groups, and watchdog organizations, flagging the nature of content being streamed or distributed by these apps. Following preliminary investigations and evidence gathering, the government initiated this sweeping action.
Impact and Industry Response
The ban is expected to send ripples across the content-streaming industry, especially among smaller and independent platforms that operate without major regulatory oversight. While many welcomed the move as a step toward moral responsibility, others have raised concerns over freedom of expression and the need for clear content guidelines rather than blanket bans.
Officials have hinted at stricter content codes for OTT platforms in the coming months, and any violations may lead to permanent blacklisting.
As of now, access to the banned platforms is being disabled across ISPs and app stores. The government has also warned of penalties for any entities found promoting or mirroring banned content through alternative channels.
