India Bans ULLU, ALTBalaji and 23 OTT Apps Over Obscene Content

New Delhi:

The Government of India has ordered the blocking of a total of 25 OTT platforms and mobile applications, including ULLU, ALTBalaji, Desiflix, Big Shots, among others, citing publication of obscene, vulgar and adult content. The move was announced on 25 July by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, which issued directives to all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disable access to these platforms within India.

The affected platforms comprise both websites and apps, many previously available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and include significant social media presence linked to external promotions. The platforms had reportedly hosted content ranging from soft pornography to erotic web series and sexual content marketed as adult entertainment, often violating Indian legal and cultural norms.

The government said the action was taken under emergency provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, supplemented by the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, and in consultation with other ministries and domain experts in women’s and children’s rights. Authorities noted violations of multiple statutes including Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has emphasised that creative freedom must not shelter obscenity or abuse. He has repeatedly warned platforms against propagating vulgarity under the guise of artistic expression.

In prior actions, the Ministry had blocked 18 platforms, including Dream Films, Voovi, Tri Flicks, Hunters, MoodX and others, in March 2024 for similar reasons. That decision involved removal of websites, apps, and 57 associated social media accounts after detailed screening of content that demeaned women, promoted incestuous or teacher-student sexual contexts, or included prolonged nudity without societal relevance. Many of those apps had collectively garnered millions of downloads and followers.

The 2025 action appears to extend and broaden that crackdown, targeting both new platforms and established ones like ULLU and ALTBalaji, which have faced criticism earlier for streaming explicit web series devoid of narrative merit. The digital publisher grievance board had issued orders against ULLU in June 2023 for removing objectionable content, though this latest ban reflects further concerns beyond compliance issues.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the OTT industry under a light-touch regime, stressing the importance of self-regulation as per the IT Rules, 2021. It noted past measures such as seminars, webinars and stakeholder meetings aimed at ensuring compliance while promoting creative innovation.

As the government tightens enforcement, analysts say the ban sends a clear message: platforms failing to moderate obscene content risk legal action, including bans and possible criminal liability. It also lays the groundwork for future regulation, possibly through legislation to provide clearer guidelines and oversight.

Industry bodies such as IAMAI have previously expressed concerns that heavy-handed censorship may stifle creative freedom. However, the escalation of legal action highlights regulatory urgency amid growing legal and social pressure.

The affected platforms have not issued formal responses yet. Whether they will challenge the ban in court remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the government’s latest action underscores its intent to enforce India’s cultural and legal boundaries in the digital entertainment space.