The government has also blocked access to 19 websites, 10 apps and 57 social media accounts associated with these platforms.
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The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) has blocked 18 OTT platforms for allegedly publishing obscene, vulgar, and, in some instances, pornographic content.
The OTT platforms blocked for obscene and vulgar content included Dreams Films, Voovi, Yessma, Uncut Adda, Tri Flicks, X Prime, Neon X VIP, Besharams, Hunters, Rabbit, Xtramood, Nuefliks, MoodX, Mojflix, Hot Shots VIP, Fugi, Chikooflix and Prime Play.
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The ministry has also blocked access to 19 websites, 10 apps (seven on Google Play Store, three on Apple App Store), and 57 social media accounts associated with these platforms.
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The decision was taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 in consultation with other Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, and domain experts specializing in media and entertainment, women’s rights, and child rights.
In a press release, the ministry said that Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur has repeatedly emphasized the responsibility of the platforms to not propagate obscenity, vulgarity and abuse under the guise of ‘creative expression’.
“A significant portion of the content hosted on these platforms was found to be obscene, vulgar, and portrayed women in a demeaning manner. It depicted nudity and sexual acts in various inappropriate contexts, such as relationships between teachers and students, incestuous family relationships, etc. The content included sexual innuendos and, in some instances, prolonged segments of pornographic and sexually explicit scenes devoid of any thematic or societal relevance,” the ministry said in the press release.
“The content was determined to be prima facie in violation of Section 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 292 of the IPC, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986,” it added.
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