The Center has blocked 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites, ten apps (7 on Google Play Store, 3 on Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts in India as part of its action against digital platforms that promote pornographic and obscene content. Additionally, some of these platforms have been providing users with pornographic content.

According to a press release from the government, Anurag Thakur, the minister of information and broadcasting, repeatedly warned people not to engage in such behaviour under the pretence of “creative expression.” This led to action against the platforms hosting offensive content.

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List of 18 OTT Platform that Center has blocked

18 OTT (over-the-top) platform blocked by center, one had over one crore downloads and two more had over fifty lakh downloads on the Google Play Store. These over-the-top platforms also share scenes, trailers, and external links on social media. The social media profiles collectively had over 32 lakh followers.

• 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

It was determined that the content on the OTT platforms violated Sections 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, Section 292 of the IPC, and Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act prima facie. 

It was discovered that a sizable percentage of the material hosted on these platforms was pornographic, vulgar, and denigrated women. It showed nudity and sexual acts in a variety of inappropriate settings, including incestuous family relationships and relationships between teachers and students. The material featured long stretches of explicit and pornographic scenes that had no thematic or social significance, as well as sexual innuendos.

Number of Popular Platforms’ Social Media Accounts Banned

• Facebook: 12
• Instagram: 17
• X (formerly Twitter): 16
• YouTube: 12

The Indian government is still dedicated to supporting the expansion and advancement of the over-the-top (OTT) sector. Many initiatives have been made in this regard, such as the 54th International Film Festival of India’s Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series, media and entertainment industry partnerships with OTT platforms, and the IT Rules, 2021’s creation of a loosely regulated framework prioritising self-regulation.