Government Takes Action Against 19 Streaming Platforms for Obscene and Vulgar Content

In a move to curb the spread of obscene content online, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has blocked 19 over-the-top (OTT) platforms in India. These platforms, including Uncut Adda, Dreams Films, and Prime Play, were deemed to be hosting content that violated Indian laws.

The action follows multiple warnings issued by the government regarding the inappropriate content. A total of 19 websites, 10 apps (some with millions of downloads), and 57 social media accounts associated with these platforms have been disabled for public access within India.

The I&B Ministry, in collaboration with other government bodies and domain experts, took this decision under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The content was found to be in violation of various laws, including:

• Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act (dealing with objectionable content online)

• Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (pertaining to obscenity)

• Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986

The government maintains its commitment to fostering the growth of the OTT industry. Initiatives like the Inaugural OTT Award and collaboration with platforms highlight this support. However, the emphasis remains on self-regulation under the IT Rules, 2021, with a "light touch" regulatory framework.

This action comes after previous reports of the government seeking independent content review for obscenity and violence on OTT platforms. It signifies a stricter approach towards regulating online content deemed inappropriate or harmful.