Blocking of OTT Platforms under IT Act Section 69A
Context:
Recently, The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has ordered the blocking of five Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platforms “MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel and Jugnu” for allegedly disseminating obscene and sexually explicit material online.
Legal Basis for the Action:
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- The blocking was implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers the Central Government to direct Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to online content in the interest of public decency, sovereignty, integrity, and order.
- Authorities said access to the identified OTT services was restricted because they were found to be hosting content that was “obscene, pornographic or violative of regulatory standards”. The enforcement followed the procedures laid down under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which govern digital media and OTT platforms in India.
- The blocking was implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers the Central Government to direct Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to online content in the interest of public decency, sovereignty, integrity, and order.
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About Regulatory Framework:
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- Section 69A, IT Act, 2000: Provides the government authority to block online content when it contravenes public policy or legal norms.
- IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:
- Establish a three-tier self-regulatory mechanism for OTT platforms.
- Mandate classification of content (U, U/A, A) based on age suitability.
- Require age verification for adult content and parental locks on mature content.
- Provide avenues for grievance redressal and compliance oversight by the I&B Ministry.
- Non-compliant intermediaries risk losing safe harbour protections, exposing them to legal liability.
- IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:
- Section 69A, IT Act, 2000: Provides the government authority to block online content when it contravenes public policy or legal norms.
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Background:
This is not the first instance of such action. In July 2025, the government had blocked around 25 OTT platforms for similar violations, citing obscene, vulgar or pornographic content that fell outside prescribed legal standards. Many of these were found to host prolonged sexually explicit material lacking meaningful narrative or social context.
Officials involved in the review process reportedly consulted multiple ministries — including Home Affairs, Electronics and IT, and Women & Child Development — as well as industry bodies such as FICCI and CII, and experts on child and women’s rights before finalising the latest blocking orders.
Policy Rationale:
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- The government’s intervention is presented as an effort to:
- Safeguard public decency and morality online, especially for younger audiences.
- Ensure digital content complies with Indian laws relating to obscenity and the ethical standards prescribed for digital media publishers.
- Reinforce accountability mechanisms for OTT platforms beyond self-regulation.
- Safeguard public decency and morality online, especially for younger audiences.
- The government’s intervention is presented as an effort to:
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Conclusion:
The government’s decision to block five OTT platforms for streaming obscene content highlights stricter enforcement under the IT Rules, 2021 and Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000. The move aims to uphold public decency and ensure compliance, while continuing the debate over digital freedom and state regulation in India’s growing online space.
