Regulatory Background & Legal Framework
IT Act, 2000 — Section 69A
Under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, the Government may issue blocking orders if content:
- Threatens sovereignty or integrity,
- Harms public order or security,
- Undermines friendly relations with foreign states.
IT (Intermediary Guideline & Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
These rules impose compliance obligations on OTT platforms, including:
- A Code of Ethics prohibits content that is prohibited by law;
- Mandatory age-based self-classification into five categories;
- Implementation of grievance redressal mechanisms.
Prior Enforcement
In March 2024, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting blocked 18 OTT services (e.g. Neufliks, X Prime, Mood X, Prime Play) for airing obscene or vulgar content.
What Has Motivated the July 2025 Crackdown?
- Content was flagged for explicit nudity, sexual innuendo, or prolonged sexually explicit scenes lacking narrative or moral justification. Some platforms reportedly went beyond storyline to deliver pornographic content.
- The crackdown underscores the government’s growing intolerance for digital platforms that fall afoul of ethical or statutory standards—especially absent a meaningful storyline or social messaging.
Summary
The Government of India has ordered the blocking of 25 OTT platforms—including major names like ULLU, ALT Balaji (ALTT), Desiflix, Big Shots App, Navarasa Lite, and others—citing violations under the IT Act and related regulations for hosting ‘obscene’, ‘vulgar’, and ‘pornographic’ content. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been directed to disable public access to these platforms.
