The I&B Ministry Bans 18 Adult OTT Platforms from Many Places -

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The I&B Ministry Bans 18 Adult OTT Platforms from Many Places

18 OTT platforms were blocked by Union Minister Anurag Thakur in response to numerous warnings regarding their obscene and vulgar content.

New Delhi:

57 social media handles, 19 websites, and 10 applications of OTT platforms have been blocked countrywide. All of this happened because the content that these apps were publishing was in contrast to the provisions of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, Indian Penal Code, and IT Act.

In collaboration with multiple intermediaries, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has implemented measures to restrict access to 18 OTT platforms that spread obscene, vulgar, and, in certain cases, pornographic material.

Access to 57 social media accounts, 19 websites, and 10 applications (seven on the Google Play Store and three on the Apple App Store) associated with these platforms has been restricted to the public in India.

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, has on numerous occasions pointed out the platforms’ obligation to prevent the spread of obscene content, vulgarity, and defamation disguised as “creative expression.”

On March 12th, 2024, Shri Thakur made an announcement regarding the removal of eighteen OTT platforms that were broadcasting revealing and obscene content.

A recent determination was reached in consultation with other Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India, specialists in the field of media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights, and in accordance with the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

List of OTT Platforms

Dreams Films	Voovi	Yessma	Uncut Adda	Tri Flicks	X Prime
Neon X VIP	Besharams	Hunters	Rabbit	Xtramood	Nuefliks
MoodX	Mojflix	Hot Shots VIP	Fugi	Chikooflix	Prime Play

Nature of Content

A significant amount of the material published on these platforms was determined to be obscene, vulgar, and denigrating to women. Sexual acts and nudity were portrayed in a variety of inappropriate contexts, including incestuous familial relationships, interactions between teachers and students, and more.

The material comprised sexual references and, in certain cases, extended portions of pornographic and sexually explicit episodes that lacked any conceptual or social significance.

Preliminary evidence suggested that the content violated Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, 292 of the IPC, and 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

Significant Viewership

On the Google Play Store, one of the OTT applications acquired over 1 crore downloads, whereas two others had surpassed 50 lakh downloads.

Furthermore, these OTT platforms made extensive use of social media to distribute trailers, highlight particular sequences, and external links with the intention of enticing viewers to their websites and applications.

Collectively, the social media profiles of the aforementioned OTT platforms accumulated a user base of more than 32 lakh.

Social Media Platform	Number of Accounts
Facebook	12
Instagram	17
X (formerly Twitter)	16
YouTube	12

Constant Engagement with OTT Platforms

By means of seminars, webinars, meetings, and other activities, the Ministry of I&B conducts ongoing sensitization campaigns with OTT platforms and their self-regulatory bodies established under the IT Rules, 2021.

The Indian government maintains its steadfast dedication to promoting the expansion and progress of the OTT sector. Numerous initiatives have been implemented to address this concern. These include the inaugural OTT Award for Web Series, which was unveiled at the 54th International Film Festival of India; partnerships with OTT platforms operating in the media and entertainment industries; and the implementation of the IT Rules, 2021, which establish a light regulatory framework with an emphasis on self-regulation.

About The Author:

Yogesh Naager is a content marketer who specializes in the cybersecurity and B2B space. Besides writing for the News4Hackers blog, he’s also written for brands including CollegeDunia, Utsav Fashion, and NASSCOM. Naager entered the field of content in an unusual way. He began his career as an insurance sales executive, where he developed an interest in simplifying difficult concepts. He also combines this interest with a love of narrative, which makes him a good writer in the cybersecurity field. In the bottom line, he frequently writes for Craw Security.

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