The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has blocked 18 streaming platforms, 19 websites, 10 apps, and 57 social media accounts for publishing “obscene, vulgar, and, in some cases, pornographic content”.
Among the ten blocked apps, seven were available on the Google Play Store and three on the Apple App Store.
Platforms have been blocked under Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, Section 292 (sale of obscene books, etc.) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Among the platforms that have been blocked are Besharams, Hunters, Dream Films, MoodX, NeonX, XtraMood and others, which are engaged in the production of sexually explicit content.
“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 statement from MIB said.
According to MIB, one of the apps has received more than ten million downloads, while two others have received more than five million downloads each.
Among the ten blocked apps, seven were available on the Google Play Store and three on the Apple App Store.
Over 3.2 million followers followed the social media accounts of these platforms, where trailers, specific scenes, and external links were shared.
A total of 12 Facebook accounts, 17 Instagram accounts, 16 X (formerly Twitter) accounts, and 12 YouTube accounts have been blocked, according to the statement.
According to Part III of the IT Rules, a self-regulatory board passed an adverse order against Ullu, another streaming platform that is not included on the current list, on grounds of obscenity in June 2023.
In his final order in June 2023, former SC judge AK Sikri, chairperson of the grievance redressal board of the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council, instructed Ullu to remove the four web series that had been complained against or to edit them (“if even possible”, the order noted) in an effort to remove “the offending and objectionable scenes”.
Sikri noted in his order that the right to freedom of expression and speech guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution is subject to certain restrictions, including that “art or culture should not be offensive.”
“Obscenity is treated as penal offence as well as per the provisions of Section 292 of the IPC. Restriction can also be imposed in the interest of public order, decency and morality,” the order said.
In its order, Sikri noted, “The Council finds that there is no social message in any of these series and the sole purpose is to depict sex and nudity likely to deprave the corrupt those whose minds are open to influence of this sort.”
