Govt directs takedown of 7,393 piracy URLs, including 4,996 Telegram channels

The Centre has directed intermediaries to disable 7,393 URLs, including 4,996 Telegram channels and 1,263 websites, as part of its intensified crackdown on online film piracy, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) informed Parliament on Wednesday.

Responding to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L. Murugan said the government has strengthened both the legal and institutional framework to combat the unauthorized circulation of cinematograph films through digital intermediaries such as Telegram.

The disclosure came in response to questions raised by MP Balashowry Vallabhaneni, who sought details on the government's action against pirated films, OTT shows and other audiovisual content being circulated on Telegram. The MP also asked whether Telegram had been found to be facilitating the circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), fake job advertisements, cyber fraud and pirated content, and what action had been taken against such platforms.

While the ministry's reply focused specifically on film piracy, it did not elaborate on the allegations relating to CSAM, fake job advertisements or cyber fraud raised in the question.

Legal framework strengthened after 2023 amendment

The government said its anti-piracy enforcement has been significantly bolstered following the enactment of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, which amended the Cinematograph Act, 1952 to introduce dedicated provisions against unauthorized recording and exhibition of films.

According to the ministry, the newly inserted Section 7(1B)(ii) empowers the government, under Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to initiate action against intermediaries that host pirated film content.

The ministry further explained that Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act allows the appropriate government to notify intermediaries for the removal or disabling of access to unlawful content. In parallel, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 require intermediaries to remove content that violates any law when notified either through a court order or by the appropriate government or its authorized agency.

Dedicated anti-piracy mechanism

The MIB also outlined the institutional mechanism it has established to tackle online film piracy.

The ministry said that upon receiving complaints from copyright holders regarding pirated versions of films available online, it issues notifications directing intermediaries to remove or disable access to the infringing content on an expedited basis.

To streamline the process, the government has authorized the Joint Secretary (Films) in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to issue takedown notices to intermediaries under both the Information Technology Rules, 2021 and the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

The ministry added that it has established a dedicated institutional mechanism to receive complaints from copyright owners regarding pirated copies of films circulating on the internet and to issue notifications to intermediaries for disabling access to such content.

Thousands of URLs disabled

Providing an update on enforcement, the government said intermediaries have been directed to disable 7,393 URLs linked to film piracy.

These include:

• 4,996 Telegram channels
• 1,263 websites
• Other URLs hosting or facilitating access to pirated film content.

The figures underscore the scale of online piracy enforcement being undertaken by the ministry, with Telegram emerging as one of the largest channels through which pirated films are disseminated, according to the government's parliamentary response.

The latest disclosure comes as the government continues to tighten enforcement against digital piracy following the 2023 amendments to the Cinematograph Act, which were introduced to provide stronger legal tools for protecting copyright owners and curbing unauthorized distribution of films across online platforms.