The Indian government has banned five OTT platforms for allegedly streaming obscene content, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed internet service providers to block access to MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu, citing violations of the IT Rules, 2021, and the Information Technology Act.
Authorities said these platforms were found hosting material that breached legal standards by being obscene, pornographic, or promoting content deemed harmful to public decency. The decision came after consultations with multiple ministries, including Home Affairs, Women and Child Development, Electronics and IT, and Law and Justice. Industry associations like FICCI and CII, along with experts on women and child rights, were also involved in the review.
This action follows a similar crackdown in July 2025, when 25 OTT platforms were blocked for streaming content considered vulgar or pornographic, including ULLU, ALTT, Big Shots App, and Desiflix. Government officials emphasized that digital platforms must follow the IT Rules to retain legal protections. Failure to comply can lead to the loss of exemptions under Section 79 of the IT Act and possible prosecution.
India’s OTT sector has grown rapidly, offering diverse regional and niche content outside traditional cinema and television censorship. While some critics argue that strict enforcement risks curbing creative freedom, supporters say it is necessary to protect societal values and shield younger audiences from harmful content.
With this latest ban, the government has signaled that it will continue close monitoring of digital streaming platforms. Services that fail to adhere to content guidelines under IT Rules, 2021, may face similar action in the future, emphasizing that innovation in entertainment must be balanced with legal responsibility.