Government intensifies crackdown on unlawful digital content as multiple OTT platforms face investigation, while authorities push for stricter regulations, enhanced oversight, and stronger action to combat rising misinformation across online media platforms.
The government has stepped up its action against digital streaming platforms, with nearly 15 OTT services currently being examined for allegedly hosting objectionable and unlawful content. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) informed a parliamentary panel that enforcement measures are ongoing, with several platforms already taken down as part of a broader compliance drive.
According to the ministry, a total of 25 platforms were blocked in the initial phase, followed by another 18, highlighting a sustained effort to curb violations. “At present, more than 10 to 15 platforms are under examination, and blocking orders are continuously being issued.”
Crackdown on objectionable content
In February, authorities blocked five platforms—MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu—for streaming obscene and sexually explicit content in violation of the IT Rules, 2021. This followed a wider crackdown in mid-2025, when more than 25 apps, including ULLU and ALTT, were banned over similar concerns.
The parliamentary committee noted that despite these actions, gaps remain in the regulatory framework governing OTT and digital platforms. It emphasized the need for clearer rules and stronger oversight to ensure accountability across the rapidly growing digital content ecosystem.
Rising concerns over misinformation
The report also assessed the role of the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit (PIB-FCU) in addressing fake content. The ministry informed the panel that the unit has actively worked to curb misinformation, blocking nearly 1,400 URLs during intensive operations.
Meanwhile, legal scrutiny continues. On March 10, 2026, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant agreed to examine the Union Government’s challenge to a Bombay High Court ruling that struck down the PIB Fact Check Unit, while declining to stay the decision.
Highlighting the growing scale of misinformation—especially during major public events—the committee recommended stronger intervention, including the use of AI tools and the hiring of personnel with regional language expertise to tackle fake content more effectively.
