WHAT 24 APPS HAS THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT BANNED?

In a decisive move to curb the spread of obscene and vulgar content online, the Central Government of India has banned 24 apps and websites. These platforms were found to be violating national content norms by promoting adult, soft porn, and sexually explicit material. Among the banned platforms are well-known names such as ULLU, ALTT, Big Shots, and Desiflix, which were offering uncensored shows, web series, and short videos deemed inappropriate under Indian cyber and media laws.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the ban after receiving several complaints and conducting an internal review. Authorities confirmed that the content hosted on these platforms was not only offensive but also posed a threat to public morality and decency. The platforms allegedly failed to implement proper age verification mechanisms and did not comply with the IT Rules, 2021, which mandate content moderation and self-regulation.

Some of the platforms, like ULLU and ALTT, had gained massive popularity over the last few years for their bold storytelling and adult-themed web series. However, critics argue that these platforms were often crossing ethical boundaries and promoting sexually suggestive content under the guise of entertainment. The ban now raises questions about the future of such OTT platforms that operate in regulatory grey areas.

Other lesser-known names on the list include Boomex, Gulab, Navratri Lite, and Kangan, which were reportedly streaming soft-porn content without any rating or content warnings. The Centre has emphasized that the crackdown is not a war against creativity, but rather an effort to draw a clear line between entertainment and obscenity.

The banned platforms also include apps like Jalva, MoodX, HotX VIP, and Soul Talkies, which had little to no content moderation and allowed unrestricted access to minors. Some of these apps were also found to be operating without proper registration or licensing, often disguising themselves as regular streaming services while offering adult-only material behind paywalls or login screens.

Cyber experts have welcomed the move, saying it will help protect children and young adults from exposure to inappropriate material. They also pointed out that many of these apps operated outside Indian jurisdiction or used loopholes to continue streaming such content, despite previous warnings. The current ban, therefore, is seen as a strong signal to others in the industry.

Meanwhile, discussions have intensified around the need for a more robust digital content regulation framework. OTT platforms and app developers are being urged to adopt transparent content classification systems, implement strict age-gating, and create a grievance redressal mechanism to handle user complaints. Without such compliance, many fear that more bans could follow.

The Centre has also asked ISPs and app stores to remove these platforms immediately and block access across devices. Users trying to access these platforms may soon find them unavailable. The government reiterated that India remains a democratic country with freedom of expression, but this freedom cannot come at the cost of violating public decency or corrupting societal values.