50 OTT platforms disabled over the last two years | Explained

The story so far: The Union government on July 22, 2026, said in the Lok Sabha that 50 Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms have been disabled for public access in India over the last two years for allegedly displaying obscene and sexually explicit content in violation of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other applicable laws.

What is the legal framework governing OTT platforms?

The government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules on February 25, 2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Part-III of the Rules provides a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and OTT platforms. Complaints related to any unlawful content are addressed under the Rules.

They mandate that intermediaries observe due diligence. Recent amendments require social media platforms and other intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours of receiving a court order or a reasoned intimation from the government or its agency.

What are the other related laws?

Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act states that an internet intermediary will lose its statutory legal immunity, known as “safe harbour”, if it fails to expeditiously remove/disable access to unlawful content after receiving a court order or government notification.

Section 67 lays down punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. On first conviction, the term of imprisonment may extend up to three years with fine up to Rs.5 lakh; a second or subsequent conviction attracts imprisonment up to five years with fine, which may extend to Rs.10 lakh.

Under Section 67A, punishment for publishing or transmitting sexually explicit content in electronic form is imprisonment up to five years with a fine up to Rs.10 lakh, on first conviction. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, it may extend to seven years with fine up to Rs.10 lakh.

Section 67B prescribes punishment for Child Sexual Abuse Material in electronic form. The first offence attracts up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine up to Rs.10 lakh, while punishment for a second or subsequent conviction is up to seven years’ imprisonment with a fine up to Rs.10 lakh.

Section 294 of the BNS criminalises the sale, distribution, production, import, and public exhibition of obscene books, materials, and electronic content. This apart, Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, bans such acts.

What enforcement actions have been taken?

In February 2026, five OTT platforms were blocked for allegedly streaming obscene content.

The government cracked down on websites and apps of 25 OTT platforms in July 2025. The action was taken after consultations with the ministries of home affairs, women and child development, electronics and information technology, Department of Legal Affairs, industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts in the fields of women and child rights.

Among the platforms were Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, NeonX VIP, Navarasa Lite, Adda TV, Ullu, and Mojflix.

The content included sexual innuendos and in some cases long portions of sexually explicit scenes involving nudity.

In this regard, the government had earlier received references from the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights in July and August 2024. Many complaints were also made by the general public.

Taking note, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry initially issued advisories, cautioning the platforms. In March 2024, it ordered the blocking of 18 platforms. Access to the 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media handles linked with them were also disabled.

The government found that an OTT app had recorded over 1 crore downloads, while two others had over 50 lakh downloads on the Google Play Store.

Why is the action significant?

The move is understood to be part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen compliance with the country’s digital content laws to ensure a safer online environment.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed Meta to disable the advertisements and content promoting and facilitating access to Child Sexual Exploitative & Abuse Material on Instagram.

The intermediaries are required to remove certain specific categories of unlawful content within 24 hours of receiving intimation or complaint, as applicable.

What is the way forward?

As India’s digital entertainment ecosystem continues to expand, regulation of OTT platforms is expected to become more robust.

Going forward, the government’s focus is likely to remain on consistent enforcement of the IT Act and the IT Rules, quicker removal of unlawful content, greater compliance with the Code of Ethics, and stronger coordination with digital intermediaries.