Central Govt Blocks 18 OTT Platforms for Obscene & Vulgar Content

The Central Government on Thursday announced its action to block 18 OTT platforms and associated social media accounts due to their publication of obscene, vulgar, and in some cases pornographic content.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated in a release that 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites, 10 apps (seven on Google Play Store, three on Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts linked to them have been disabled for public access in India.

The platforms affected by the action include 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, and Prime Play.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur stressed the platforms’ responsibility to avoid spreading obscenity, vulgarity, and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’.

The decision to take action against the OTT platforms was made under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, in consultation with other ministries/departments of the Government, as well as domain experts specializing in media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights, the statement clarified.