Six months of repeated warnings, multiple law breaches: Why MIB banned 25 OTT apps

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s decision to block 25 websites and 14 mobile applications including Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots, Desiflix, and Mojflix, was not a sudden crackdown, sources told e4m. Rather, it was the culmination of repeated warnings and advisories that these platforms ignored for over six months.

Officials pointed out that violations spanned multiple laws Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act (prohibiting obscene and sexually explicit material), Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (criminalising public display of obscenity), and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. 

In parallel, e4m has accessed a confidential evidence dossier reviewed by DoT and MIB. The documents detail dozens of shows and episodes across smaller OTT platforms where prolonged nudity and sexual activity were found to have no narrative or artistic justification.

On ALTT, episodes such as Qatil Haseena, Rangeen Kahaniyan, and Crimes and Confessions contained between 5 and 10 minutes of explicit sexual content per 20-minute episode.

On Ullu, an episode of Badan featured nearly 19 minutes of continuous explicit scenes out of a 22-minute runtime, while Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai showed 15 minutes of explicit content across a 23-minute episode.

Another Ullu series, Caretaker, depicted incestuous sexual relationships, with investigators noting that “the primary object was titillation, not storytelling”.

While other platforms such as BigShots, Desiflix, and Mojflix were also listed in the annexures, Ullu and ALTT were the biggest offenders as per the evidence. 

This move made by the government aligns with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which require OTT streaming services to self-classify content and provide robust parental controls. 

“The blocked services ignored these compliance requirements and undermined not only the legal framework but also the industry’s ability to self-regulate. There is also a deterrent effect. Allowing repeat offenders to continue operations with minimal consequences risks normalising violations. A firm, public enforcement action signals to the entire industry that the government will not hesitate to act against erring services that place profits above the law,” said another industry insider. 

As per sources, for months, the MIB repeatedly cautioned certain OTT streaming services about crossing the line on illegal content. 

In September 2024, MIB issued a formal warning to 25 OTT streaming services against transmitting prohibited content. By December, 18 mobile apps had already been blocked under Section 69A of the IT Act which allows the Central government to restrict public access to information in the interests of national security, sovereignty, or the defence of India. 

The MIB was not alone in its concerns of prohibited content published by these OTT streaming services. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) had also flagged content they deemed distasteful and harmful, particularly to children.

 Sources also indicate that some OTT streaming services went beyond mere non-compliance, actively working to evade oversight. 

When one domain was blocked, they launched another. They used technical workarounds to avoid detection and re-uploaded unedited versions of shows that had been previously taken down. 

The DPCGC’s reviews reinforced this pattern: certain shows featured nudity and sexual content without any narrative or artistic justification, designed solely to attract viewership. For instance, Ullu was found to temporarily remove or edit explicit scenes, only to restore them later. This was not about misunderstanding the rules; it was about making calculated decisions to flout them.

Smaller OTT platforms, unlike their mainstream counterparts, often bypassed big productions or celebrity-driven releases and instead chase attention through provocative, explicit content. They positioned themselves in the gap left by larger players, catering to an audience whose demand is unmet in the mainstream.

But this shortcut to visibility came at a cost, most of these platforms ignored even basic safeguards meant to protect younger viewers.

To bring in an audience, these smaller OTT streaming services deployed negligible age gating mechanisms therefore easily accessible to minors.

“Many services, like ALTT, relied solely on a tick-box during sign-up “I confirm I am above 18”. A minor could simply click “yes” and gain instant access without any further gating. On television, it was even more concerning: open the app, and the content was right there, no checks or safeguards inside,” said another source close to developments. 

The crackdown marks not just punitive action but a reset, reminding India’s digital entertainment sector that creative freedom must coexist with compliance and child safety.