Centre Bans Multiple Streaming Apps Over Adult Content Concerns

In a firm move to regulate the digital content landscape, the Central Government has banned several OTT apps and websites for allegedly hosting and promoting obscene and sexually explicit content, officials announced on Friday.

The platforms affected by the ban include ALTBalaji, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, and Gulab App, many of which have gained notoriety for producing bold or adult-centric web series.

According to officials, the ban is part of an ongoing digital sanitation drive aimed at upholding decency in public content and protecting users, particularly minors, from exposure to explicit material.

“We cannot allow platforms to misuse freedom of expression as a license for vulgarity,” a senior official from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said.

Triggered by Public Complaints

The crackdown reportedly follows numerous complaints from citizens, parents, and civil society groups who raised concerns over the easy access to graphic and suggestive content being streamed without any meaningful content filters or age restrictions.

While India has permitted creative freedom in its burgeoning OTT space, the government has emphasized the need for responsible content creation, especially when it comes to sexual material and the depiction of women.

Warning for Other Platforms

Officials have clarified that this is not a one-off action. The government is keeping a close watch on other platforms that continue to ignore content norms and may take similar steps if found in violation of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Service providers have been instructed to block access to the banned apps and websites immediately, while app marketplaces like Google Play and Apple App Store are being urged to delist them.

As the OTT industry reels from this sweeping move, content creators and digital publishers are expected to re-evaluate their strategies in light of stricter enforcement and the possibility of regulatory action.

About Punjabi Mania Author

Editorial team at Punjabi Mania. Passionate about bringing the latest updates from the Punjabi entertainment industry directly to you.