Year Ender 2024: This year the government has taken big action against OTT platforms with obscene content and lewd videos. The government has blocked 18 OTT apps. The government has taken a big step this year to regulate digital media. Under the new IT Rules 2021, the government has taken major action against apps serving any kind of vulgar and obscene content. Apart from this, it has been decided to block many apps to keep the data of Indian users safe.
Recently, in the ongoing winter session, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murgan said that the main focus of the government is on digital accountability. Obscene content shown on OTT platforms has adverse effects on people. Major actions have been taken to protect public decency, national interest and ethical journalistic practice.
On March 14 this year, MIB had decided to block 18 OTT apps under the IT Rules 2021. Obscene and pornographic content was being served on these apps. The government blocked these apps under Section 69A of the IT Act.
Blocked these 18 apps
- Dreams Films
- Voovi
- yessma
- Uncut Adda
- Tri Flicks
- X Prime
- Neon X VIP
- Besharams
- Hunters
- rabbit
- Xtramood
- Newflix
- MoodX
- Mojflix
- Hot Shots VIP
- Fuji
- Chikooflix
- Prime Play
Obscene content was being served through these apps. The government has taken action under sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act. Apart from this, a case was registered against the owners of the apps under section 292 of IPC. Not only this, an order was issued to block these apps under Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act 1986. Many of these apps had more than 1 crore downloads. These apps used to promote trailers of obscene contents using platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, X, YouTube etc.
Image Credit: India-Tv.