The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has ordered the blocking of five Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platforms for allegedly broadcasting obscene and pornographic content in violation of Indian laws.
The platforms affected include MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu. According to officials, the action was taken after following due legal process and consultations with relevant authorities.
Access to these platforms has been restricted under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Under this provision, the government is empowered to direct Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block public access to online platforms that violate legal norms.
Legal Grounds for Action
Sources indicated that the platforms were found to be primarily streaming explicit and sexually explicit material. Such content is said to contravene multiple legal provisions, including:
- Section 67 and Section 67A of the IT Act, which prohibit publishing or transmitting obscene and sexually explicit material in electronic form
- Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), dealing with the sale and distribution of obscene content
- Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
Officials stated that the blocking orders were issued after reviewing the nature of the content hosted by these platforms.
No Immediate Response from Platforms
At the time of reporting, there has been no official response from the affected OTT platforms. Users attempting to access the services in India may encounter restricted access or blocked status messages.
Authorities reiterated that such actions are taken only after due procedure and are aimed at ensuring compliance with digital media guidelines.
Ongoing Crackdown on Obscenity in Digital Content
This is not the first time the government has acted against streaming platforms over obscenity concerns. Last year, the I&B Ministry directed intermediaries to disable access to 25 OTT platforms, including widely known names such as Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix, following concerns raised by authorities including the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
The recent move comes amid broader discussions within the government regarding stricter regulation of online content. Reports indicate that draft proposals under the proposed IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026 aim to introduce structured age-based content classification and clearer compliance mechanisms for digital publishers.
Regulatory Context and Free Speech Debate
The Centre’s approach follows directives from the Supreme Court, which asked the Solicitor General to prepare proposals balancing freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution with the “reasonable restrictions” permitted under Article 19(2).
The debate over online content regulation has intensified in recent months, particularly after controversies involving digital creators and social media personalities. Policymakers have emphasized the need to ensure that digital platforms operate responsibly while safeguarding viewers, especially minors, from harmful material.
Signal to Digital Platforms
Industry observers view the blocking of the five OTT platforms as part of the government’s broader effort to tighten oversight of the rapidly expanding digital entertainment sector.
With online streaming consumption rising significantly across India, regulatory scrutiny has increased to ensure adherence to content standards and compliance with national laws. The latest action serves as a clear message that digital platforms must align with statutory requirements or risk facing restrictions.
Further developments are expected as the government finalizes its framework for digital content governance.
FOLLOW NOW
