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India bans streaming apps you’ve never heard of — but millions watch

India has banned 25 streaming services for allegedly promoting obscene content, marking a significant digital crackdown. Services like Ullu and ALTT, popular among viewers, are impacted. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued directives citing concerns raised by child protection commissions. The ban follows historical issues of content regulation in India, amid ongoing challenges in controlling adult content online.

Key points

  • India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered blocking of 25 streaming services.
  • The ban targets services with millions of users, primarily for promoting obscene content.
  • The government cited provisions of the IT Act of 2000 and IT Rules of 2021 for enforcement.
  • Concerns voiced by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights prompted action.
  • Some services remained accessible despite the ban, with many utilizing APK downloads.
  • Ullu and ALTT reported significant subscriber growth and revenue prior to the ban.
  • Previous instances of content regulation in India indicate a pattern of censorship, especially regarding obscenity.

Why it matters

  • Similar crackdowns on streaming platforms have occurred in the past due to obscenity concerns.
  • In 2023, India's information minister warned against abusive content across streaming services.
  • The Supreme Court addressed the regulation of sexually explicit content, indicating ongoing legal challenges.
  • The rise of alternative media and circumventing censorship via social media illustrates ongoing challenges in content regulation.

The ban on streaming services underscores India's ongoing struggle to regulate digital content, reflecting a broader trend of increased scrutiny around obscenity in media, despite past failures to effectively control such issues.