Ministry of I&B Cracks Down on OTT Platforms for Obscene Content
Image Source: Fortune India
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has taken decisive action against 18 OTT platforms for hosting obscene and vulgar content. This move follows repeated warnings issued by Union Minister Anurag Thakur, emphasizing the platforms’ responsibility to avoid promoting obscenity under the excuse of creative freedom.
The crackdown involved disabling access to 19 websites, 10 apps (7 on Google Play Store and 3 on Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts linked to the offending platforms. This action was taken in accordance with Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and involved consultations with other government entities and domain experts specializing in media & entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights.
Content hosted on these platforms was found to be deeply concerning. It included explicit portrayals of nudity, sexual acts, and inappropriate relationships like those between teachers and students or within families. Additionally, the content often employed sexual intimations and featured prolonged segments of pornography lacking any thematic or social relevance.
Authorities deemed this content a clear violation of the Information Technology Act (Section 67 & 67A), the Indian Penal Code (Section 292), and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (Section 4).
The action targets platforms with significant user bases. One OTT app had over 1 crore downloads on the Google Play Store, while two others exceeded 50 lakh downloads. These platforms also actively used social media (with over 32 lakh cumulative followers) to promote their content through trailers, specific scenes, and external links.
List of Blocked Platforms (Social Media Platforms in brackets):
• Prime Play (YouTube, 16)
• Chikooflix (X – Formerly Twitter, 17979)
• Fugi (Instagram, 3.8K)
• Hot Shots VIP (Facebook, 1li 321K)
• Mojtlix (…)
• MoodX (…)
• Nuefliks (…)
• Xtramood (…)
• Rabbit (…)
• Hunters (…)
• Besharams (…)
• Neon X VIP (…)
• X Prime (…)
• Tri Flicks (…)
• Uncut Adda (…)
• Yessma (…)
• Voovi (…)
• Dreams Films (…)
This crackdown highlights the I&B Ministry’s commitment to regulating online content and protecting users, particularly children, from exposure to harmful and inappropriate material.
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