The Government of India has taken major action against OTT platforms showing obscene web series and films. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked 18 such OTT platforms, 19 websites, 19 apps and 57 social media handles related to them. These platforms were warned several times.
The Government of India has taken major action against apps, websites and platforms serving obscenity on OTT. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked 18 such over-the-top (OTT) platforms in the country. The ministry says that obscene web series and films were continuously being shown on these platforms. In this regard, these platforms were warned several times regarding obscene and objectionable content. But after seeing no effect, this decision has finally been taken.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur was continuously warning that OTT platforms serving obscene content will not be spared. Last year also in the month of June, a big meeting of the Ministry was held in this regard. The special thing is that out of the 18 OTT platforms that have been blocked, action has also been taken against 19 websites, 10 apps and 57 social media handles. This action has been taken on the basis of violation of several laws including the IT Act, Indian Penal Code and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.
According to the government statement, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has repeatedly stressed the responsibility of the platforms for not propagating obscene, offensive and abusive content under the guise of ‘creative liberty’. On March 12, 2024, he announced that 18 such platforms showing obscene and objectionable content had been removed.
These 18 OTT platforms were blocked
| 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 |
A large portion of the content hosted on these platforms was found to be obscene, objectionable and derogatory towards women. Nudity and sex scenes are shown in these. In many web series, things like relationship between a teacher and his student, sexual relations even in family relationships have been shown. During investigation, these contents were found to be in violation of 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.
