Authorities has issued a crackdown towards apps and web sites of 25 OTT platforms which revealed obscene content material. Motion has been taken beneath the provisions of the Info Expertise Act, 2000, towards apps and video streaming platforms equivalent to AltBalaji, Massive Pictures, and Ullu for allegedly displaying “indecent” illustration of ladies. This growth comes after the Ministry of Info & Broadcasting issued an advisory to OTT and social media platforms in January relating to the existence of obscene content material.
AltBalaji, Ullu, and Extra Apps Banned
As per the federal government, public entry to 26 apps and 14 web sites in India was blocked. This was carried out after session with MHA, MWCD, MeitY, Division of Authorized Affairs (DoLA), trade our bodies FICCI and CIl, and girls rights and little one rights specialists.
With this transfer, the federal government reportedly goals to curb the straightforward availability of obscene content material on-line, particularly to minors. Additional, making certain that “digital content material stays inside the bounds of decency and the legislation” can also be one in every of its objectives, PTI reported, citing a supply.
You’ll find the checklist of banned apps beneath:
- AltBalaji
- Ullu
- Massive Pictures App
- Desiflix
- Boomex
- Navarasa Lite
- Gulab App
- Kangan App
- Bull App
- Jalva App
- Wow Leisure
- Look Leisure
- Hitprime
- Feneo
- ShowX
- Sol Talkies
- Adda TV
- HotX VIP
- Hulchul App
- MoodX
- NeonX VIP
- Fugi
- Mojflix
- Triflicks
A report by StoryBoard18 additional revealed that the federal government has directed web service suppliers (ISPs) to disable public entry to the aforementioned apps and video streaming web sites.
Additional, it additionally cited Part 79(3)(b) of the Info Expertise Act, 2000 which states that intermediaries lose their exemption from the legal responsibility in the event that they fail to adjust to the federal government’s directive of eradicating or disabling entry to materials which is getting used to commit an illegal act, regardless of being notified from the suitable company.
This transfer builds upon the ban on 18 OTT platforms issued in March 2024 for allegedly displaying obscene content material. They had been discovered to be in violation of the IT Act, Indian Penal Code, and Indecent illustration of Ladies (Prohibition) Act. The federal government additionally blocked public entry to 19 web sites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts related to the OT platforms.