New Delhi: In a broader crack on digital pornography, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed the Internet service providers to block public access to 25 OTT platforms including ULLU, Altt and Desiflix, which, in some cases, in some cases, to host pornographic materials. The instructions released on July 23 include 26 websites related to these platforms and 14 mobile applications.The action repeatedly follows these platforms and comes after consultation with experts on industry bodies and women and child rights like Ministries of Home Affairs, Electronics and IT, Department of Legal Affairs, FICCI and CII. Sources said that the decision started with continuous violations of public grievances and IT rules of platforms, 2021 and Indian obscenity laws.Platforms such as ULLU and ALTT were flagged off by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in 2024 with low or no legend reference for sexual ingestion and nudity material. ULLU had to remove its series house arrest in May 2025 after Govt intervention. A similar crack occurred in 2024 when 18 OTT platforms, such as Dreams Films, Rabit, Hunters and Prime Play were blocked. In many cases, government officials said, the materials violated Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and the abusive representation (prohibition) of the Women (Prohibition) Act. Former Central Information Commissioner Uday Maharkar, who is the head of the ‘Save Culture Save Bharat Foundation’, appreciated the government for banning applications and websites, called it a “digital surgical strike”. He said, “We congratulate the Center for our courageous first step in this Dharma Yudh (righteous war) to protect the soul of our nation. This ban is a win for every Indian family,” he said.Maharkar said in a statement, “However, this is only the first battle. A one-time ban is not enough. We need systemic legal and technological reforms to keep our cultural values permanently secure and make digital India a truly value-based and safe place for our children.”
