Mumbai: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has blocked access to five OTT platforms — MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu — for allegedly streaming obscene and indecent content in violation of existing laws.
According to government sources cited by news agency ANI, the platforms were found to be hosting content that contravened obscenity provisions under Indian regulations. Acting under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and the Information Technology Act, the Centre exercised its authority to restrict access to online service providers that fail to comply with legal obligations relating to harmful content.
Under the IT Rules, intermediaries that do not adhere to prescribed norms risk losing their safe harbour protection for third-party content, making them liable for violations.
This move follows a series of similar actions taken by the Centre against OTT platforms in recent years. In July last year, the MIB blocked 25 platforms, including Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, NeonX VIP and Desiflix, for streaming obscene, vulgar and, in some cases, pornographic material. The ministry had earlier issued warnings to these platforms in September 2024 and urged compliance with the law in February the same year, citing concerns over graphic sexual innuendos, prolonged nudity and inappropriate sexual depictions.
In another crackdown in 2024, the ministry took action against 19 OTT platforms, including Uncut Adda, Dreams Films and Prime Play, for similar violations.
The latest ban comes amid heightened scrutiny of OTT content regulation in India, as the government seeks to address perceived gaps between digital streaming platforms and traditional media such as television and cinema. During a Supreme Court hearing in April last year, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the apex court that the Centre was considering additional regulatory measures to curb the spread of objectionable content on OTT platforms.
The debate around digital content moderation intensified further following controversy surrounding comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube series India’s Got Latent. Subsequently, the MIB reiterated its advisory to OTT and social media platforms to strictly adhere to the IT Rules, 2021, implement age-based access controls, and avoid publishing obscene or harmful content.
With successive enforcement actions, the Centre has signalled a tougher stance on digital content governance, underscoring that OTT platforms will increasingly be held accountable under India’s existing legal and regulatory framework.
