Banned adult streaming platforms evading blocks, MIB informs Standing Committee
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(MIB) has informed the
Parliamentary Standing Committee
that it continues to receive complaints through various channels regarding
blocked platforms
offering adult content reappearing under new names or IP addresses. The Ministry stated that it is reviewing these instances in order to take appropriate action.
These comments were submitted as part of the MIB's response to the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology's report titled Action Taken on the Observations/Recommendations of the committee contained in their Third Report (Eighteenth Lok Sabha) on 'Demands for Grants (2024–25), dated 24 July.
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The committee, while noting the provisions under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, for dealing with errant publishers of online curated content (
OTT platforms
), expressed the desire to be kept informed about:
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(i) the number of pending grievances and the action taken by the ministry and the Delhi Police against OTT platforms that remain operational despite being blocked, by changing their name or IP address; and
(ii) the steps taken by the ministry following the minister's reply to a Parliamentary Question highlighting the need to strengthen existing laws and editorial checks with respect to content published on social media and OTT platforms.
While the matter is under active consideration, the committee has sought clarity on whether the ministry has engaged with editorial boards of online platforms to prevent the misuse of freedom of expression, including the spread of vulgar content and fake news.
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On 23 July, a day before submitting the report, the ministry directed
internet service providers
(ISPs) across the country to block public access to 25 OTT streaming platforms for allegedly hosting and distributing unlawful content.
In its notification, the ministry cited violations of Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
The action was taken under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which require intermediaries and digital publishers to adhere to a prescribed Code of Ethics and remove unlawful content upon notification by the government.
The list of blocked platforms includes: ULLU, ALTT, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, ShowHit, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks.
This is not the first such action by the MIB. In March 2024, it ordered the blocking of 18 OTT platforms for disseminating obscene and, in some cases, pornographic content. As part of that enforcement, 19 websites, 10 mobile applications (seven on the Google Play Store and three on the Apple App Store), and 57 associated social media accounts were made inaccessible to the public in India. Copies of the orders were also sent to the Delhi Police for further legal action.
The Code of Ethics under Part III of the IT Rules, 2021, mandates that OTT platforms must refrain from publishing content prohibited by law and must classify content into five age-based categories: U (Universal), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult).
Speaking in the Lok Sabha on 27 November 2024, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw underscored the need to enhance editorial oversight of content on social media and OTT platforms.
He noted that editorial safeguards, which were standard in traditional media, are now largely absent in the digital era, resulting in the misuse of free speech to disseminate vulgar content and misinformation.
The minister also highlighted the need to strengthen the current legal framework. He emphasised that a societal consensus would be essential for this and suggested that the matter could be referred to Parliamentary Committees for further deliberation.
On 19 February 2025, the ministry issued an advisory to Online Curated Content Publishers (OTT platforms) reminding them of their obligations under Indian law and the Code of Ethics prescribed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
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