The Indian authorities has blocked 5 over-the-top streaming platforms for allegedly internet hosting and distributing content material deemed “obscene”, intensifying regulatory scrutiny of India’s fast-growing digital leisure sector.

In response to ANI report, the Ministry of Info and Broadcasting on Tuesday ordered the blocking of MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Really feel and Jugnu.

The motion was taken in accordance with due process underneath the Info Know-how Act, 2000 and the Info Know-how (Middleman Tips and Digital Media Ethics Code) Guidelines, 2021.

Officers mentioned web service suppliers had been directed to disable entry to the platforms underneath Part 69A of the IT Act, which empowers the Centre to dam on-line content material on specified grounds. The ministry additionally invoked Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Guidelines, 2021, which prohibits internet hosting or publishing content material that’s “obscene, pornographic, invasive of one other’s privateness, insulting or harassing on the premise of gender, racially or ethnically objectionable, or selling hate or violence”.

The newest motion follows a broader crackdown in July 2025, when the federal government ordered the blocking of internet sites and cellular purposes linked to 25 OTT platforms accused of broadcasting media described as obscene, vulgar or, in sure situations, pornographic. Amongst these focused had been ALTT, ULLU, Massive Pictures App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, ShowHit, Wow Leisure, Look Leisure, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix and Triflicks. Earlier reviews additionally listed ALTBalaji among the many affected companies.

On the time, the ministry mentioned the content material streaming on these platforms was discovered to be in “critical violation” of Indian legal guidelines. Many had been reportedly internet hosting materials containing “sexual innuendoes” and, in some instances, extended scenes of “sexually specific acts involving nudity”, described as “pornographic in nature”. Officers mentioned a lot of the content material lacked “any significant storyline, theme, or social message” and was dominated by “obscene and vulgar” visuals.

The federal government’s enforcement has additionally relied on Part 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. In an earlier launch explaining comparable measures, the Centre acknowledged: “In case of failure of the intermediaries to watch the authorized obligations as supplied within the IT Guidelines, 2021, they lose their exemption from third social gathering data supplied underneath part 79 of the IT Act. They’re accountable for consequential motion or prosecution as supplied underneath any extant regulation.”

Officers mentioned the most recent blocking orders had been issued after consultations with a number of departments, together with the Ministries of Residence Affairs, Ladies and Little one Growth, Electronics and Info Know-how, and Regulation and Justice. Trade our bodies such because the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Trade and the Confederation of Indian Trade had been a part of the evaluation course of, together with specialists working in girls and little one rights.

The ministry had beforehand issued warnings to 25 platforms in September 2024, adopted by advisories and a February 2025 reminder to stick to the Code of Ethics underneath the IT Guidelines, 2021. Officers mentioned some companies continued publishing objectionable content material utilizing alternate domains regardless of notices. 5 platforms blocked in March 2024 had been discovered to have resumed publishing allegedly obscene content material on new web site domains.

Regulatory oversight has additionally concerned self-regulatory mechanisms. The Digital Writer Content material Grievances Council, a physique comprising round 40 OTT members together with Ullu and ALTT, had ordered edits to sure reveals on ALTT, citing scenes that had been “distasteful and weird”.

Greater than 100 net sequence had been taken down on Ullu. Nonetheless, investigations discovered that some titles had been quietly re-uploaded of their unique kind. Ullu’s net sequence “Home Arrest” was pulled down in Could 2025 after authorities intervention.