According to a report, the government has issued a crackdown against 25 apps and websites that have published pornographic content. Under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, there has been action to show the alleged “unhealthy” representation of women against apps and video streaming platforms such as Ultbalaji, Big Shots, and potatoes. This development came after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in January after issuing a consultation on the existence of pornographic content to the OTT and social media platforms.
Altbalaji, owl, and more apps are banned
Referring to sources, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that the platform was in violation of various rules. These include the IT Act, Section 67 of 2000 and Section 67A, Section 294, 2023 of Bharatiya Niaya Sinhaa, and Section 4 of the Women’s Unhealthy Representation (prohibited) Act, 1986.
In particular, Section 67 of the IT Act prohibits the publication or transmitting of pornographic content in electronic form.
With this move, the government’s purpose is to prevent the easy availability of pornographic content online, especially for minors. Further, to ensure that “digital content is within the limits of politeness and the law” is also one of its goals.
You can find a list of prohibited apps below:
- altbalaji
- Deliberate
- Big Shots app
- desiflix
- Boomx
- Novana Light
- Rose app
- The bracelet app
- Bill app
- Jalva app
- Wow entertainment
- See the fun
- Hut prime
- Finio
- Showcase
- Civil talks
- Ada TV
- Hot X VIP
- Hulchol app
- Mucus
- Neonics VIP
- Fugten
- Mojflix
- Trifles
A report from the Story Board 18 further revealed that the government has directed Internet service providers (ISPs) to disable public access to the aforementioned apps and video streaming websites.
Further, it also cited Section 79 (3) (B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which states that if they are notified of the appropriate agency, they fail to comply with the government’s directive to remove or disable access to the substance used to commit illegal acts.
The move bans 18 OTT platforms issued to display pornographic content in March 2024. They have been violated by the IT Act, the Indian Code of Conduct, and the Unhealthy Representation of Women. The government also stopped public access to 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts affiliated with the OT platform.
