The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has blocked as many as 24 apps and websites for obscene, adult and vulgar content. Some of the apps are also banned for promoting soft p*rn content.
In a decisive move to curb the spread of unlawful content online, the MIB has issued a notification directing all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country to disable public access to 24 websites. These platforms have been flagged for hosting content that violates multiple Indian laws and standards of digital ethics.
According to ANI, The action was taken in consultation with the MHA, MWCD, MeitY, Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), industry bodies FICCI and CII, and experts in the field of women's rights and child rights.
As per the notification, the websites in question - such as ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, and more - were reportedly found to be in violation of provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (particularly Sections 67 and 67A), Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Full list of apps to be banned
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 surfaced, Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote on X, "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."
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.
