18 OTT Platforms, Websites, Apps Banned By Central Govt.
OTT Platform ban was imposed under:
Violations of the IT Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act for publishing “obscene,” “vulgar,” and, in some instances, “pornographic content”.
The ban on certain platforms was not just due to their content but also their use of social media to share trailers, scenes, and links to draw users to their sites and apps. The material on these platforms was deemed offensive, crude, and degrading, featuring nudity, sexual content, and inappropriate themes. This ban is intended to maintain standards and safeguard viewers from harmful content.
The Central Government has made a firm decision to ban 18 OTT platforms that were repeatedly warned for sharing “vulgar and obscene” content in disguise of creative expression, as a cover for exploitation and misconduct from Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Below is the Full List of the OTT Platforms that are now restricted:
1. Dreams Films
2. Voovi
3. Yessma
4. Uncut Adda
5. Tri Flicks
6. X Prime
7. Neon X VIP
8. Besharams
9. Hunters
10. Rabbit
11. Xtramood
12. Nuefliks
13. MoodX
14. Mojflix
15. Hot Shots VIP
16. Fugi
17. Chikooflix
18. Prime Play
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced on Thursday that 19 websites, 10 apps (7 on Google Play Store and 3 on Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts linked to these platforms have been deactivated for public access in India.
According to the release, on March 12, Thakur declared the removal of 18 OTT platforms for publishing obscene and vulgar content. The decision, made in consultation with various Government of India ministries and domain experts in media, entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights, was based on the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Ministry of I&B blocks 18 OTT platforms for obscene and vulgar content after multiple warnings; 19 websites, 10 apps, 57 social media handles of OTT platforms blocked nationwide, says the government. pic.twitter.com/03ojj3YEiF
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2024
The Statement Release Highlight
That a notable amount of content on these platforms was deemed obscene and vulgar, depicting women in a derogatory light. It featured nudity, sexual acts, and inappropriate scenarios like teacher-student relationships and incestuous family dynamics. Moreover, the content contained sexual references and lengthy segments of explicit scenes with no meaningful thematic or societal context.
The release stated that the content was found to prima facie contravene Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Additionally, one of the OTT apps garnered more than 1 crore downloads, with two others exceeding 50 lakh downloads on the Google Play Store.
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Furthermore, these OTT platforms extensively utilize 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 concerned OTT platforms had a cumulative followership of over 32 lakh users, it said.
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 statement said.
The release mentioned various steps taken in this context, such as the launch of the Inaugural OTT Award for Web Series during the 54th International Film Festival of India, partnerships with OTT platforms in the media and entertainment industry, and the creation of a flexible regulatory framework focusing on self-regulation according to the IT Rules, 2021.
It’s worth mentioning that the particular content responsible for the ban is not accessible to the public. The interpretation of terms like “vulgar” and “obscene” can vary, sparking concerns about censorship within India.
Is it legal to stream adult content on OTT platforms in India?
All forms of pornography, including those in print media, electronic media, and digital media (OTT), are prohibited and illegal in India. Activities such as hosting, displaying, uploading, modifying, publishing, transmitting, storing, updating, or sharing pornography are against the law in India.
What is the IT Act?
The Information Technology Act, 2000 (ITA-2000), commonly known as the IT Act, is a significant legislation enacted by the Indian Parliament. It serves as the primary law in India concerning cybercrime and electronic commerce. Here are the key points about this act:
- Purpose and Scope:
– The IT Act was notified on 17 October 2000, focusing on electronic governance, digital signatures, and cybercrime.
– It provides a legal framework for recognizing electronic records and promoting e-filing with government agencies.
– The act aims to encourage alternatives to paper-based communication and information storage. - Key Provisions:
– The original act comprised 94 sections across 13 chapters and 4 schedules (later reduced).
– It applies nationwide and allows for prosecution of individuals from other countries if a computer or network in India is involved in a crime.
– The IT Act defines cybercrimes and their penalties, establishes a Controller of Certifying Authorities for digital signatures, and sets up a Cyber Appellate Tribunal for dispute resolution. - Amendments:
– A significant amendment in 2008 introduced provisions like Section 66A (penalizing offensive messages), Section 69 (empowering authorities to intercept information), and addressed issues such as pornography, cyberterrorism, and voyeurism.4. Impact:
– The IT Act amended sections of other laws like the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, Banker’s Books Evidence Act, and Reserve Bank of India Act to align with technological advancements.
In summary, the IT Act is pivotal in regulating electronic transactions, ensuring data security, and combating cybercrimes in India.
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