भारत ने खोया एक राफेल लड़ाकू विमान", डसॉल्ट एविएशन के सीईओ ने की पुष्टि, "लेकिन दुश्मन की कार्रवाई में नहीं हुआ हादसा"

 Government Cracks Down on Multiple Streaming Platforms for Hosting Obscene Content

New Delhi, July 25, 2025 — In a significant regulatory move, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has ordered the blocking of public access to over two dozen digital streaming platforms for broadcasting content considered obscene or pornographic. This step is part of a coordinated effort to enforce content guidelines under India's Information Technology law.

The decision, implemented on July 23, was taken following inputs from several ministries, legal departments, and industry bodies. These include the ministries of home affairs and electronics & IT, legal affairs departments, as well as organizations focusing on women and child protection. The move also had the backing of key industry associations and content regulation experts.

The directive includes restrictions on access to 26 websites and 14 mobile applications that were found disseminating inappropriate material lacking contextual or artistic value. Authorities cited violations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and IT Rules of 2021.

This isn’t the first instance where such digital platforms have faced scrutiny. Several were previously flagged by statutory child protection bodies for streaming inappropriate material. In one prominent case earlier this year, a web series was removed following intervention from concerned government bodies.

Investigations revealed that some platforms, despite prior warnings, had continued publishing or republishing explicit content, often by circumventing restrictions through domain changes or re-uploads. A self-regulatory content body, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, had earlier recommended removal of hundreds of such titles. However, repeated violations led to stronger enforcement actions.

Reports suggest that the content in question contained prolonged sexually explicit scenes, often lacking narrative context, and in some cases even involving sensitive or inappropriate themes. The content was found to breach various Indian legal provisions related to obscenity and the indecent representation of women.

Several production entities behind these platforms are reportedly linked to well-known figures in the media and entertainment industry, though the government has not commented on individual affiliations.

A senior government source noted, “This action was necessary to curb the rising trend of vulgar and pornographic content that was not only indecent but also violated the spirit of the law.”

The platforms have been instructed to immediately cease access within Indian territory, and Internet Service Providers have begun implementing the ban.

This marks a firm stance by the government towards ensuring responsible digital content and enforcing compliance among streaming services operating in the country.