NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has taken stringent measures against 18 OTT and streaming platforms for displaying "obscene and vulgar" content. On Thursday, the Union I&B minister Anurag Thakur said that eighteen OTT platforms have been blocked for obscene and vulgar content after multiple warnings. 

In a statement, the I&B ministry detailed that this action was taken in coordination with various intermediaries to block platforms that hosted content deemed obscene, vulgar, and, in some cases, pornographic. Specifically, 19 websites, 10 apps (including 7 on Google Play Store and 3 on Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts linked to these platforms have been restricted from public access in India.

The blocked OTT platforms 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, and Chikooflix.

The press release from the I&B Ministry states that Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has consistently stressed the responsibility of platforms to avoid promoting obscenity, vulgarity, and abuse under the guise of "creative expression." On March 12, 2024, Thakur announced the removal of 18 OTT platforms for publishing inappropriate content.

The decision was made under the Information Technology Act, 2000, in consultation with other Indian government ministries and experts in media, entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights. The ministry noted that the content on these platforms was not only obscene and vulgar but also depicted women in a degrading manner, featuring inappropriate portrayals of nudity and sexual acts, including teacher-student relationships and incest. The content often included sexual innuendos and extended scenes of pornography without any thematic or societal value.