Government Cracks Down On 18 OTT Platforms, 19 Websites, 10 Apps For Pornographic Content

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has taken decisive action, in conjunction with various intermediaries, to clamp down on 18 OTT platforms disseminating lewd, vulgar and in some cases, pornographic content. This sweeping measure extends to 19 websites, 10 apps (7 on Google Play Store, 3 on Apple App Store), and the deactivation of 57 social media accounts linked to these platforms, effectively restricting public access in India.

Ministry of I&B blocks 18 OTT platforms for obscene and vulgar content after multiple warnings; 19 websites, 10 apps, 57 social media handles of OTT platforms blocked nationwide. @PIB_India@MIB_Indiapic.twitter.com/5TGrQu5wrn

— DD News (@DDNewslive) March 14, 2024

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur has underscored the responsibility of these platforms, warning against the dissemination of obscenity, vulgarity and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’. On March 12, 2024, Union Minister Anurag Thakur announced the crackdown on 18 OTT platforms guilty of hosting obscene and vulgar content.

This robust decision was enacted under the purview of the Information Technology Act, 2000, in collaboration with other Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, alongside domain experts specialising in media and entertainment, women’s rights and child rights.

List Of Prohibited OTT Platforms:

• 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
• Prime Play

Nature of the Banned Content

A substantial portion of the content hosted on these platforms has been deemed obscene and vulgar, often depicting women in a derogatory light. These productions frequently feature nudity and sexual acts in inappropriate contexts, such as relationships between teachers and students, or within incestuous family dynamics. Moreover, the content includes sexual innuendos and, on occasion, prolonged segments of pornographic material and explicit scenes bereft of any thematic or societal significance.

This content has been found to prima facie contravene Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

Don't Miss:Maharashtra Makes Mother's Name Mandatory On Government Docs

One of the OTT apps amassed over 1 crore downloads, with two others exceeding 50 lakh downloads on the Google Play Store. Additionally, these platforms heavily utilised social media to platforms to disseminate trailers, specific scenes, and external links aimed at luring audiences to their websites and apps. The social media accounts associated with these OTT platforms (6 Actors Who Found Their Breakthrough On OTT Platforms) boasted a combined followership exceeding 32 lakhs users.

The Ministry of I&B is actively engaged in sensitisation efforts with OTT platforms and their self-regulatory bodies, established under the IT Rules, 2021, through a series of meetings, webinars, workshops, and other initiatives.

Don't Miss:CAA Timeline: What Is Citizenship Amendment Act In India, What Does The Law Mean, Here's A Lowdown On The Rules And Regulations

The government remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing the growth and development of the OTT industry, implementing various measures to this end, including the introduction of the Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series at the 54TH International Film Festival of India, (IFFI 2023 Winners: Check Out The Full List Of Awardees At The Film Festival Held In Goa) collaboration with OTT platforms within the media and entertainment sector, and the establishment of a light-touch regulatory framework emphasising self-regulation under the IT Rules, 2021.

Image Courtesy: X

Jagran New Media's gender and lifestyle vertical, catering to women of all age groups, helping them remain updated, on-trend, and aware. To improve our performance and understand our readers' interests better, we have created this poll. This will take two minutes of your time, do help us by clicking here.

For more such stories, stay tuned to HerZindagi.