On July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) ordered Internet Service Providers to block access to 25 OTT platforms for streaming content deemed obscene, vulgar, and pornographic—marking one of the most sweeping digital crackdowns in India’s media history. This action officially designates these services as banned OTT platforms in India.
List of 20 Banned OTT Platforms
- ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji)
- Ullu
- Desiflix
- Big Shots App
- Boomex
- NeonX VIP
- Navarasa Lite
- Gulab App
- Kangan App
- Bull App
- ShowHit
- Jalva App
- Wow Entertainment
- Look Entertainment
- Hitprime
- Fugi
- Feneo
- ShowX
- Sol Talkies
- Adda TV
…plus MoodX, Triflicks, Mojflix, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, etc.
Why These OTT Platforms Were Banned
According to the MIB and official sources:
- These banned OTT platforms lacked meaningful storylines or social context.
- Most content featured graphic nudity, sexual innuendo, and pornographic visuals, often without any narrative purpose.
- Violations included Section 67/67A of the IT Act, Section 292/294 of IPC, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
- Some platforms previously banned in March 2024 resumed operation under new domains but continued similar content.
Ownership & Controversies of OTT platforms
ALTT (Formerly ALTBalaji)
- Former and primary owner: Balaji Telefilms Ltd, founded by Ekta Kapoor. Launched in 2017, ALTBalaji rebranded to ALTT before being banned in 2025.
- Though still owned by Balaji Telefilms, Ekta and Shobha Kapoor have publicly disassociated themselves from ALTT since June 2021, stating they no longer have any role or involvement.
ULLU
- Ownership details are not publicly disclosed. The platform had repeatedly been flagged by the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC) for “distasteful and bizarre” content.
Desiflix, Big Shots App, Mojflix, MoodX, Triflicks, etc.
- For most of these platforms, public records do not clearly identify founders or parent companies. They are often small digital publishers operating via obscure or anonymous ownership structures. DPCGC and government bodies flagged content without identifying owners.
Regulatory Timeline & Legal Action
- Sept 2024: MIB issued formal warnings to the 25 platforms to remove obscene content.
- Feb 2025: Advisory under IT Rules, 2021 urged compliance with ethics codes.
- As platforms failed to comply—and some resurfaced under altered domains—the government moved to ban them in July 2025, via legal provisions in consultation with MHA, MWCD, MeitY, DoLA, FICCI, CII, and women’s and children’s rights experts.
Impact of Being Labeled Banned OTT Platforms
- Access is disabled nation‑wide, impacting 14 mobile apps (Android and iOS) and 26 associated websites.
- The ban applies not just to primary apps but also to social media handles, which are being blocked or disabled.
- Courts, civil society, and bodies like the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) supported the decision. National politicians from several parties welcomed the move as necessary for protecting societal values.
| Platform | Status | Known Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALTT / ALTBalaji | Banned | Balaji Telefilms Ltd | Ekta Kapoor stepped down in 2021 |
| Ullu | Banned | Undisclosed | Flagged repeatedly by DPCGC |
| Desiflix | Banned | Undisclosed | Operated under small digital group |
| Big Shots App | Banned | Undisclosed | Featured soft‑porn styled series |
| MoodX, Mojflix, Triflicks, Navarasa etc. | Banned | Undisclosed | Previously blocked in 2024 |
