The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has blocked 24 apps and websites for hosting obscene, adult, and vulgar content. Some of these platforms were also found promoting soft porn.
Taking strict action against the circulation of unlawful material online, the MIB issued a notification instructing all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the country to restrict public access to these platforms. The blocked sites were found violating various Indian laws and digital content guidelines.
According to ANI, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) took the action in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), industry bodies like FICCI and CII, and subject experts on women and child rights.
As per the official notification, the blocked platforms — including ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, and Gulab App — were found violating several Indian laws. These include Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Besides the above mentioned names, the other apps which will be banned are:
– Kangan App
– Bull App
– Jalva App
– Wow Entertainment
– Look Entertainment
– Hitprime
– Feneo
– ShowX
– Sol Talkies
– Adda TV
– HotX VIP
– Hulchul App
– MoodX
– NeonX VIP
– Fugi
– Mojflix
– Triflicks
Soon after the news broke, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her support for the ban on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote, “This is great news. Had been talking about these two apps – Ullu and Alt Balaji in particular for their content, had raised it in the standing committee of Communication and IT. Glad @GoI_MeitY paid heed & did what was needed to be done long time ago.”
Chaturvedi had previously flagged the issue of objectionable content on such platforms and urged regulatory intervention during parliamentary committee discussions.
Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act deal with the publishing or transmission of obscene or sexually explicit material in electronic form, while Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaces the former Indian Penal Code section related to obscene acts and songs. The 1986 Act prohibits the indecent representation of women through advertisements, publications, and media.
According to media reports, to enforce compliance, the MIB has also informed the Director (DS-II) at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), requesting necessary coordination with ISPs to ensure public access to these platforms is effectively blocked within Indian territory.