REGULATORY · INDIA
India blocks five OTT platforms under IT Rules 2021 for alleged obscene content
Change
India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed ISPs to block access to five OTT platforms—MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu—citing obscene content, under the IT Rules 2021 and Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000.
Why it matters
ISP-level blocking removes user access to the named OTT services in India, constraining their ability to operate and monetize in the market. The action was executed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting following the government’s blocking procedure under the Information Technology Rules, 2021 and laws against obscenity. The legal basis cited includes Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which enables government-ordered blocking of online content. For other OTT operators and intermediaries, the event increases near-term regulatory and enforcement exposure around content classification and compliance processes.
Implications
- • Named OTT platforms face immediate loss of access to Indian users via ISP blocks
- • ISPs must implement and maintain blocks per government direction
- • Higher enforcement risk for OTT catalogs flagged as obscene under IT Rules 2021
- • Potential commercial disruption for advertisers/partners tied to blocked platforms
Who is affected
- • MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu (operators and users)
- • Internet service providers implementing government blocking orders
- • Other OTT platforms distributing adult/explicit content in India
- • Advertisers, payment partners, and affiliates linked to the blocked services
Source
Read full article on Economic Times →
Topics
World & Politics Policy & Regulation Law & Public Safety Regulatory Actions Compliance