In a significant move to curb the dissemination of unlawful online content, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, has instructed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to 25 websites across the country. These platforms were flagged for hosting content in violation of Indian laws.
The order was issued under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has identified several platforms—including ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks—as being in violation of multiple Indian laws. These include Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
As per Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, intermediaries lose exemption from liability if they fail to remove or disable access to unlawful content after receiving official notification. Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules further mandates that intermediaries must not host or publish content that undermines India’s sovereignty, security, public order, decency, morality, or foreign relations.
The Ministry also cited Rule 7, which clarifies that non-compliant intermediaries forfeit their safe harbour protection under Section 79(1) and may be subject to penalties under relevant laws.
Additionally, Part III of the IT Rules—administered by the Ministry—applies to digital news publishers and OTT platforms, requiring adherence to a Code of Ethics. This code explicitly prohibits the publication or transmission of unlawful content, reflecting the government’s broader efforts to ensure digital responsibility and accountability.
