The Centre has blocked five over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms for allegedly streaming content labeled as “obscene,” according to officials cited by news agency ANI. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) carried out the move as part of a wider initiative to regulate digital streaming content under existing IT laws.
The recently banned platforms include MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu. Officials stated that these services were discovered to be broadcasting content that breached India's legal regulations for digital media.
This action mirrors a decision made in July 2025, when the government mandated the blocking of websites and mobile apps associated with 25 OTT platforms accused of disseminating content deemed obscene, vulgar, or, in some cases, pornographic.
Those platforms included:
ALTT
ULLU
Big Shots App
Desiflix
Boomex
Navarasa Lite
Gulab App
Kangan App
Bull App
Jalva App
ShowHit
Wow Entertainment
Look Entertainment
Hitprime
Feneo
ShowX
Sol Talkies
Adda TV
HotX VIP
Hulchul App
MoodX
NeonX VIP
Fugi
Mojflix
Triflicks
The latest ban followed consultations across multiple government departments, including Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, and Law and Justice. Industry groups like FICCI and CII, along with women and child rights experts, were also part of the review.
The move is grounded in Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which prohibits hosting or publishing content that is “obscene, pornographic, invasive of privacy, insulting or harassing based on gender, racially or ethnically objectionable, or promoting hate or violence.”
Officials have emphasized that digital platforms must follow legal obligations to retain protection under Indian law. The Centre previously warned: “If intermediaries fail to observe the legal obligations as provided in the IT Rules, 2021, they lose their exemption from third-party information under section 79 of the IT Act and are liable for action or prosecution under any extant law.”
The ban underscores increasing scrutiny of India’s expanding OTT sector, amid concerns over explicit content reaching young viewers. Officials stress the aim is to enforce the law, not curb creativity, while critics warn stricter rules could impact artistic freedom. Ongoing monitoring suggests more actions if platforms violate IT Rules, 2021.
