On July 23, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) directed ISPs to block public access in India to 25 OTT platforms, including ULLU, ALTT, Desiflix, Mojflix, and others .
Why the Ban Was Enforced
Authorities cited multiple legal violations:
- Sections 67 & 67A of the IT Act, 2000 – addressing distribution of obscene electronic content.
- Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – regarding obscene acts or songs.
- Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Government estimates indicate that content across these platforms included sexual innuendos, explicit nudity, and familial or socially taboo situations, often devoid of meaningful narrative or creative context.
Patterns & Past Warnings
- In February 2025, advisories under the IT Rules 2021 urged compliance with content ethics.
Reactions from Key Stakeholders
- Vibhu Agarwal, ULLU’s founder, has resurfaced in the spotlight given the renewed scrutiny over the app and its content policies.
Impact & What Comes Next
- Indian users can no longer access ULLU and the other banned platforms through ISPs.
- Google and Apple app stores have received instructions to delist the offending apps.
- This action reflects the government’s stronger regulatory approach under IT Rules 2021 and related laws.
- Industry watchers expect more rigorous enforcement, including potential rebranding or content modifications by affected platforms.
Quick Overview Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Ban Order | July 23, 2025 |
| Platforms Affected | 25 OTT platforms including ULLU, ALTT, Desiflix |
| Legal Basis | Sec. 67, 67A (IT Act); Sec. 294 (BNS); Sec. 4 (IRWP Act) |
| Content Issues | Sexual innuendo, nudity, explicit material; no social themes |
| Regulators Involved | MIB, DPCGC, NCPCR |
| Platform Response | Ekta Kapoor distanced; ULLU founder in spotlight |
| Next Steps | ISP blocks, app store removals, tighter content oversight |
Bottom Line
This marks one of the most comprehensive content crackdowns by the Indian government to date.
This represents one of India’s most sweeping digital media crackdowns, targeting platforms with millions of users that oftentimes operated outside mainstream visibility
The case underscores India’s evolving online regulation regime—from interim advisories to detailed enforcement under the IT Rules, 2021, backed by legal provisions added in recent years
FOR MORE BLOGS – beyondthepunchlines.com
Author: Team BTP
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