New Delhi — In a strong move aimed at safeguarding digital ethics and protecting the rights of women and children, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has blocked 24 mobile applications and websites that were found promoting obscene, vulgar, and adult content, including soft pornography.
The decision follows detailed consultations with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), and key industry bodies including FICCI and CII, along with expert panels on women’s and children’s rights.
Why the Ban Was Imposed
As per an official notification, the blocked platforms were found to be in violation of multiple Indian laws, including:
- Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which prohibit the transmission of obscene material electronically.
- Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, dealing with obscene acts in public places.
- Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
These platforms, the ministry stated, were intentionally hosting and distributing sexually explicit content, misusing the digital ecosystem for monetizing vulgarity, and undermining community standards.
Apps and Platforms Under the Ban
The list of banned apps and platforms includes both popular and lesser-known names that were available on third-party app stores and websites. Some of the most flagged names are:
- ALTT
- ULLU
- Big Shots App
- Desiflix
- Boomex
- Navarasa Lite
- Gulab App
- Kangan App
- Bull App
- Jalva App
- Wow Entertainment
- Look Entertainment
- Hitprime
- Feneo
- ShowX
- Sol Talkies
- Adda TV
- HotX VIP
- Hulchul App
- MoodX
- NeonX VIP
- Fugi
- Mojflix
- Triflicks
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the country have been directed to immediately disable public access to these platforms. Compliance monitoring will be conducted regularly to ensure full enforcement.
Industry Reaction and Policy Implications
While this move has drawn praise from digital safety activists and family welfare organizations, it also sends a strong signal to OTT platforms and app developers operating in India. The government has been tightening the regulatory framework around online content and digital media, especially after several complaints regarding the increasing normalization of sexually explicit and inappropriate material accessible to minors.
Officials said the action reinforces the government’s zero-tolerance stance on content that offends public decency and moral standards. It also aims to protect vulnerable users, particularly women and children, from exploitative or misleading media exposure.
A Wake-Up Call for Digital Content Platforms
This latest crackdown follows a growing trend of public concern around vulgar OTT content, and the government’s proactive effort to establish digital accountability. With more young users getting unrestricted access to smartphones and the internet, experts believe that regulation is key to ensuring a safe and respectful online environment.
“Freedom of expression must be balanced with responsibility. There’s a line between creativity and exploitation — and many of these platforms crossed it,” said a senior official familiar with the investigation.
What Happens Next?
The MIB has warned that this is not a one-time move and that further action will be taken if other apps or sites are found to be violating similar content standards. App developers have also been advised to review their content guidelines and ensure compliance with Indian law to avoid punitive action.
This ban sets a precedent for future enforcement and marks a turning point in India’s digital media regulation strategy.
