Highlights

• 18 OTT platforms including Prime Play and Neon X VIP banned for obscene content.
• Violations of IT Act and IPC lead to widespread content restrictions.
• Government cites portrayal of women in demeaning manners as a major concern.
• Over 1 crore downloads recorded for one banned app, showing significant user engagement.

In a decisive move, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting of India has recently imposed a ban on 18 OTT platforms, including Prime Play, Neon X VIP, and Dreams Films, among others. 

This action comes in response to the platforms’ hosting of content deemed ‘obscene, vulgar,’ and in some cases, pornographic, despite previous warnings.

Alongside the OTT platforms, 19 websites, 10 applications, and 57 social media accounts linked to these services have also been restricted from public access across the country.

Legal Grounds for the Ban

The government’s decision to ban these platforms is grounded in their prima facie violation of several legal provisions. 

These include Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. 

The comprehensive action taken reflects the severity of the content issues and the platforms’ failure to adhere to content guidelines.

Concerns Over Content

The Ministry elaborated on its concerns, highlighting that a substantial portion of the content on these platforms was not only offensive but also portrayed women in a degrading manner. 

This included depictions of nudity, sexual acts in inappropriate contexts such as teacher-student relationships, incestuous family dynamics, and other themes that lack thematic or societal relevance. 

Moreover, the content frequently resorted to sexual innuendos and extended pornographic scenes, further exacerbating the issue.

The Scale of Affected Platforms

The crackdown affects platforms that have seen significant user engagement.

According to the Union Government, one of the banned apps boasted over 1 crore (10 million) downloads, with two others exceeding 50 lakh (5 million) downloads on the Google Play Store. 

Additionally, the social media accounts associated with these platforms had garnered more than 32 lakh (3.2 million) followers, indicating the wide-reaching influence and availability of their content.

Full List of Banned OTT Platforms

The complete list of OTT platforms facing the ban includes:

• Prime Play
• Neon X VIP
• Dreams Films
• Voovi
• Yessma
• Uncut Adda
• Tri Flicks
• X Prime
• Besharams
• Hunters
• Rabbit
• Xtramood
• Nuefliks
• MoodX
• Mojflix
• Hot Shots VIP
• Fugi
• Chikooflix

This move by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting signifies a major step towards regulating digital content in India, emphasizing the need for OTT platforms to adhere to content guidelines that respect societal norms and legal requirements. 

FAQs

Which OTT platforms have been banned in India?

The Indian government has banned 18 OTT platforms such as Prime Play, Neon X VIP, and Dreams Films for hosting content deemed obscene and vulgar.

Why were these OTT platforms banned?

These platforms were banned for violating Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, due to their obscene and vulgar content.

What kind of content led to the ban of these OTT platforms?

Content that was found to be obscene, including nudity, sexual acts in inappropriate contexts, and the portrayal of women in a demeaning manner, led to the ban.

How significant was the user engagement with the banned OTT platforms?

One of the banned apps had over 1 crore downloads, while others had over 50 lakh, indicating high user engagement across these platforms.

What action has been taken against the banned OTT platforms?

Alongside the OTT platform ban, 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts associated with these platforms have been blocked for public access in India.

Read More: Apple Bans Beeper Mini App for Violating iMessage Privacy: All You Need To Know

Read More: Digital strike: Centre bans 54 Chinese apps over security concerns