25 OTT Platforms Ban: India’s Digital Content Regulation Dynamics

The Indian government has ordered Internet Service Providers to block 25 OTT platforms such as ALTT, ULLU, Desiflix and others for airing obscene and pornographic content. 

On July 23, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued a directive to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across India, ordering them to block public access to 25 OTT platforms. Prominent platforms affected by this ban include Ullu, ALTT, and Desiflix. This assertive action was primarily driven by allegations of these platforms streaming “obscene content” and engaging in “indecent representation of women”.

This regulatory intervention represents more than just a content moderation exercise. It signals India’s commitment to establishing clear boundaries in the expanding digital entertainment space.

Regulatory Framework Behind the Action

The blocking directive drew authority from the Information Technology Act, 2000, particularly Section 67 (prohibiting obscene material in electronic form) and Section 67A (prohibiting sexually explicit content in electronic form). Additionally, the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, provided the operational framework for content oversight and platform accountability

The 25 banned OTT apps were found in violation of multiple laws including Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The Ministry directed intermediaries to remove unlawful information under these provisions.

Imperative for Content Regulation

Protection of Women and Children

The government’s action finds justification in protecting vulnerable sections of society, particularly women and children. Early exposure to explicit content distorts children’s understanding of healthy relationships and sexuality. Such content often objectifies women, perpetuating gender inequality and normalizing violence against women.

This concern aligns with the constitutional mandate under Article 19(2) and finds philosophical support in John Stuart Mill’s Harm Principle from ‘On Liberty’ (1859). Mill’s principle permits limiting individual liberty when it causes harm to others or degrades societal well-being. This framework directly applies to obscene content that damages social fabric and vulnerable populations.

Cultural and Moral Considerations

Obscenity erodes cultural and moral values that form the foundation of Indian society. The digital content regulation framework recognizes that uncontrolled dissemination of degrading material can alter social norms and values, particularly among impressionable youth. The government’s intervention reflects a broader commitment to preserving India’s cultural ethos while navigating digital transformation.

The blocking of these OTT apps signals India’s determination to ensure that technological progress doesn’t come at the cost of social values and human dignity. This approach resonates with the constitutional vision of building a society based on justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Protection of Minors and Cyber Safety

A justification for OTT platform regulation centers on protecting minors from harmful content. The IT Rules 2021 mandate age-based content classification, verification mechanisms, and parental controls. These measures that address legitimate safety concerns while enabling informed adult choices.

The regulatory framework’s emphasis on cyber safety reflects growing awareness of digital media’s impact on social development, particularly among young audiences. However, effective implementation requires balancing protection with access, ensuring that safety measures don’t become barriers to legitimate content consumption.

Constitutional Implications and Free Speech Concerns

The blocking of entire platforms rather than specific content pieces raises constitutional questions regarding Article 19(1)(a), which guarantees freedom of speech and expression. However, Article 19(2) of the Constitution explicitly permits the State to impose “reasonable restrictions” on free speech in the interests of “decency and morality.”

The constitutional validity of such restrictions finds judicial support. In the landmark Ranjit D. Udeshi v. State of Maharashtra case, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction under Section 292 of IPC (now Section 294 of BNS, 2023). It establishes that obscenity does not enjoy protection under free speech. This precedent provides a solid legal foundation for the government’s recent actions against OTT platforms hosting objectionable content.

Charting a Path Forward

Addressing Regulatory Ambiguity

The current framework’s reliance on subjective terms like “obscenity” and “vulgarity” creates uncertainty for platforms and creators. Moving toward more specific, measurable standards potentially incorporating context, artistic merit, and audience targeting. This can reduce arbitrary enforcement while maintaining necessary protections.

Developing nuanced guidelines that distinguish between mature content, hate speech, and material promoting real-world harm would enable more targeted, effective regulation. This approach would address legitimate concerns about content that objectifies, dehumanizes, or incites violence while preserving space for artistic expression and adult choice.

Strengthening Self-Regulation

Empowering industry-led self-regulatory bodies to develop and enforce content standards could reduce direct government intervention while maintaining necessary oversight. Successful self-regulation requires genuine independence, transparent processes, and meaningful consequences for non-compliance.

The Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council’s previous work with platforms like Ullu demonstrates both the potential and limitations of self-regulatory approaches. Strengthening such mechanisms while ensuring government accountability could create more balanced, sustainable governance structures.

Technology-Enabled Solutions

Leveraging technology for content classification, age verification, and user control offers promising alternatives to blanket restrictions. AI-powered content analysis, coupled with user preference settings and parental controls, could provide more granular, user-directed content management than platform-wide bans.

However, technological solutions must be implemented with strong privacy protections and user agency, avoiding potential surveillance approaches that undermine digital rights while attempting to address content concerns.

Global Perspectives and Best Practices

Examining global approaches to OTT regulation reveals diverse strategies across jurisdictions. The European Union’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive extends traditional broadcast standards to digital platforms while maintaining strong privacy protections through GDPR. Australia’s Broadcasting Services Act provides comprehensive content oversight with clear industry participation in standard-setting.

The United States generally favors self-regulation with minimal direct government intervention, while South Korea has established specific guidelines balancing content standards with user privacy protection. These varied approaches suggest that effective digital content regulation must be tailored to specific cultural, legal, and market contexts rather than adopting one-size-fits-all solutions.

Lessons for India

International best practices emphasize several key principles: transparent and predictable regulatory frameworks, proportionate enforcement mechanisms, robust privacy protections, and meaningful industry participation in standard-setting. Successful regulatory models typically feature independent oversight bodies, clear appeal mechanisms, and regular review processes to adapt to technological and social changes.

Conclusion

The banning of 25 OTT platforms represents a watershed moment in India’s digital content governance evolution. India’s OTT market represents a major economic force, projected to exceed $12 billion by 2030. The sector has become a major driver of job creation, technological innovation, and creative content production.

However, legitimate concerns about obscene content, child safety, and cultural sensitivity merit serious attention. Thus, careful measures must be taken to preserve the innovation, creativity, and economic vitality that have made its digital media sector globally competitive.

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