50 OTT platforms disabled over the last two years | Explained
The Indian government reported that 50 OTT platforms have been disabled over the past two years for hosting obscene or sexually explicit content. This action is part of a broader enforcement of the IT Act and the Information Technology Rules of 2021.
Why it matters
It highlights the government's increasing regulatory oversight of digital media and the legal consequences for platforms failing to comply with content ethics.
The story so far: The Union government on July 22, 2026, said in the Lok Sabha that 50 Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms have been disabled for public access in India over the last two years for allegedly displaying obscene and sexually explicit content in violation of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other applicable laws.
The government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics Code) Rules on February 25, 2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Part-III of the Rules provides a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and OTT platforms. Complaints related to any unlawful content are addressed under the Rules.
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