The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has taken action, in coordination with various intermediaries, to block 18 OTT platforms publishing obscene, vulgar and, in some instances, pornographic content.

A government statement yesterday stated that 19 websites, 10 apps (seven on Google Play Store, three on Apple App Store) and 57 social media accounts associated with these platforms have been disabled for public access in India.

Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Thakur has repeatedly emphasized the responsibility of the platforms to not propagate obscenity, vulgarity and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’, the statement explained, adding that on March 12 the Minister announced that 18 OTT platforms publishing obscene and vulgar content have been taken down.

The recent decision was taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 in consultation with other Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, and domain experts specializing in media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights, the statement said.

A significant portion of the content hosted on these platforms was found to be obscene, vulgar, and portrayed women in a demeaning manner, depicting nudity and sexual acts in various inappropriate contexts, such as relationships between teachers and students, incestuous family relationships, etc., the statement highlighted.

The content was determined to be prima facie in violation of Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

One of the OTT apps had amassed more than one crore (10 millions) downloads, while two others had over 50,00,000 downloads on the Google Play Store. Additionally, these OTT platforms extensively utilized social media to disseminate trailers, specific scenes, and external links aimed at attracting audiences to their websites and apps. The social media accounts of the OTT platforms concerned had a cumulative followership of over 32,00,000 users.

“The Ministry of I&B consistently conducts sensitization efforts with OTT platforms and their self-regulatory bodies established under the IT Rules, 2021 through meetings, webinars, workshops, etc. The Government of India remains committed to fostering the growth and development of the OTT industry,” the government statement said.