Government bans 25 websites including ULLU, ALTBalaji over obscene material

Infact the Government has been trying for long time to regulate digital platforms and prevent the circulation of explicit material online.

New Delhi: The Union Government has banned as many as 25 mobile applications and websites which were found to be displaying objectionable content, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

These multiple apps and websites have been banned by the Government because they are reported to be allegedly hosting obscene, vulgar, and adult content. ALTBalaji, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, and Gulab App are among those which have been targeted.

Infact the Government has been trying for long time to regulate digital platforms and prevent the circulation of explicit material online. This action is a part of this ongoing exercise of the Government.

Public Interest Litigation

In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in April seeking action against the streaming of sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Central Government and some major digital platforms.

Those who were served notices by the top court include the Central Government and the websites including Netflix, Amazon Prime, ULLU, ALTT, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others.

SC Bench

The Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih felt that the petition raised an important matter but emphasised that this matter fell under the jurisdiction of the executive or the legislature. The Bench observed, "It's not our domain, you do something."

This is not the first time that these platforms have come under the scanner, in April this year, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre and major digital platforms in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking action against streaming of pornographic content on OTT and social media platforms. The notice was served to the Centre, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Owl, ALTT, X (formerly Twitter) Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and others.

What Laws Have Been Broken?

• Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act 2000, publication and transmission of obscene material.
• Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code
• Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
• It is illegal to publish such content under these rules

Full List Of Banned Apps

Alt, Ullu, Big Shots App, DesiFlix, Boomx, Navras Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalwa App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, HitPrime, Fenio, ShowX, Soul Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Halchal App, MoodX, NianX VIP, Fuji, MojiFlix, TriFlix