The Indian central authorities banned Thursday 18 Over the Top (OTT) streaming platforms for alleged obscene and vulgar content material. Additionally, 19 web sites, 10 apps, and 57 social media handles of such OTT platforms have been additionally banned nationwide.

The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) said in a press release that it collaborated with numerous intermediaries and blocked entry to the alleged violative platforms in India. The cause said is “publishing obscene, vulgar, and, in some instance, pornographic content.” The ministry added:

A good portion of the content material hosted on these platforms was discovered to be obscene, vulgar, and portrayed ladies in a demeaning method. It depicted nudity and sexual acts in numerous inappropriate contexts, reminiscent of relationships between lecturers and college students, incestuous household relationships, and many others. The content material included sexual innuendos and, in some cases, extended segments of pornographic and sexually specific scenes devoid of any thematic or societal relevance.

This choice was reportedly taken after the platforms didn’t comply, regardless of a number of warnings by the I&B Minister Anurag Thakur.

As per the press launch, three OTT apps achieved vital obtain milestones on the Google Play Store—one with over ten million downloads and two others with over 5 million downloads every. These platforms allegedly leveraged social media extensively to advertise their content material, accumulating a mixed follower rely of over 3.2 million throughout numerous platforms with a number of accounts.

Obscenity legal guidelines in India, ruled primarily by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act (IT Act), goal to control and prohibit the publication, distribution, or creation of supplies deemed obscene or sexually specific. Another laws, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (IRWP), can be invoked for motion towards obscene materials.

Under the IT Act, Section 67 pertains to lascivious or morally corrupt content material, with penalties of as much as three years imprisonment and a tremendous. Additionally, Section 67A targets materials containing sexually specific acts, carrying penalties of as much as 5 years imprisonment and a tremendous. However, repeat offenders might face increased penalties.

Similarly, below the IPC, Section 292 imposes penalties of as much as two years’ imprisonment and fines, with harsher punishments for repeat offenders and exceptions for supplies serving public good or non secular functions. Also, Section 293 addresses promoting obscene objects to minors. Section 294 offers with obscene acts in public locations, punishable by imprisonment, fines or each.

Likewise, Section 4 of the IRWP Act prohibits the manufacturing, sale, distribution or circulation of any materials containing indecent illustration of ladies. However, there are exceptions for materials deemed to serve the general public good, non secular functions or historic monuments, temples or non secular artifacts. Films are additionally exempt in the event that they adjust to the Cinematograph Act.