Govt Bans 25 OTT Apps: ULLU, ALTBalaji Out—Netflix Next?

The Indian government has banned 25 online streaming platforms, including ULLU, ALTBalaji, and several other lesser-known apps, allegedly for sharing obscene and sexually explicit content. This unilateral action was taken by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in consultation with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). 

According to a passage on the government's decision by official sources, these platforms failed to comply with key provisions under the Information Technology Act and a Bill that relates to the representation of women and public decency. Internet service providers were directed to block the apps and websites across India.

Why the Ban Was Imposed

The ban was made on the basis of an assessment that a number of OTT (Over-theTop) platforms propagate material that is deemed offensive, vulgar, and indecent. The ministry has listed violations of the below prosecution sanctions:

• Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, 2000 - prohibits the electronic dissemination or publication of obscene materials
• Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita - prohibits acts of indecency or obscene song in public spaces
• Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 - prohibits the representation of women in indecent or derogatory ways

There was an indication that the content that was shared via these platforms would threaten public decency and violate community standards.

Platforms That Have Been Blocked

Other blocked apps include popular platforms like ULLU and ALTBalaji:

• Big Shots
• Desiflix
• MoodX
• Boomex
• NeonX VIP
• Jalva App
• Gulab App
• Navarasa Lite

Most of these platforms either provided smaller app-based services that became popular, or they offered adult-dedicated content with minimal content moderation or regulatory scrutiny.

Action Follows Supreme Court Inquiry

This action comes on the heels of increasing legal scrutiny around online content. In April 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued notices to the central government and popular OTT platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and ALTBalaji, about a public interest plea that talked about the increasing amount of sexually explicit content available online.

The Court asked the Centre to consider appropriate legal frameworks in order to better regulate, permitting that it had exhausted all appropriate options under the existing self-regulatory system for OTT platforms that did not prevent abuse.

Public Reaction and Industry Concerns 

Reactions to the ban have been mixed. On the one hand, there are many parents and social groups who are clearly thrilled about this government initiative. They perceivably agree with government's view that such content was easily available to minors. On the other hand, many are concerned about what this means for creative and artistic freedom, and digital censorship.

After the bans of Ullu, ALTT and other apps . pic.twitter.com/FTne2xNm2Q

— 🅰️ J (@EHuman0) July 25, 2025

Many of the content creators who uploaded their content to these platforms will likely be impacted by the ban, however, content creators are especially impacted who were dependent on these platforms for basically just distribution, or for creation of revenue. Industry analysts have argued that such bans may push OTT corporations into adopting more restrictive content moderation practices going forward. 

As well, digital rights advocates are questioning the lack of transparent processes for bans. Digital rights activists noted that no guidelines were provided prior, for whom to provide clear guidelines for the ban to not be misused, or considered arbitrary censorship.

 

 

 

 

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What Will Happen to Existing Subscribers?

The abrupt ban has also raised the question of what will happen to paid subscriptions. Several people with monthly or annual plans who just purchased plans on ULLU (or ALTBalaji) can no longer access what they paid for. So far, none of the platforms whose services have been disrupted have made any announcement about how they will handle refunds or compensatory offerings to existing subscribers. With the apps blocked across India, consumers remain in limbo. Legal and consumer rights experts say that unless the businesses or authorities provide clarity or remedies in the days to come, this may turn into a ramping problem. A user on twitter @PunnyBhaiya posted:

Govt bans Ullu, ALTT, Desiflix, Big Shots.

Meanwhile, people who just bought their subscription: pic.twitter.com/GeXVSdihqH

— Punny (@PunnyBhaiya) July 25, 2025

What It Means for the OTT Sector

The ban shows that the government is not afraid to take serious action on those platforms that do not abide by the existing laws which govern their activities. The ban also throws into sharp relief an evident and growing demand for a more comprehensive and enforceable regulatory framework pertaining to online streaming platforms in India.

In light of expanding OTT sector consumption and the government's scrutiny of how platforms manage sensitive or adult content will surely persist, focus groups, regulators, and the public alike will likely keep a strong eye on this space.

Source(Image / Thumbnail): economictimes.indiatimes