In an effort to curb the widespread availability of soft pornographic content on the internet, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, has prohibited Ullu, Deskflix, Big Shots, and 22 other applications, categorizing them as banned material.
The Government has released a notification instructing Internet Service Providers in India to restrict public access to a list of 25 websites that display vulgar and obscene content.
The government stresses that intermediaries are accountable for removing or disabling access to illegal information in accordance with the Information Technology Act of 2000, as well as the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and the Digital Media Ethics Code Rules of 2021.
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What does the Ban Entail?
The Government of India (GOI) has emphasized section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which indicates that intermediaries forfeit their exemption from liability if they do not promptly remove or disable access to content that is being utilized to carry out an illegal act, once they receive actual knowledge or notification from the relevant government authority.
Furthermore, Rule (3)(d) of the IT Rules 2021 stipulates that intermediaries are prohibited from hosting, storing, or publishing any illegal information that is forbidden by law, particularly in relation to the sovereignty and integrity of India, state security, friendly relations with foreign nations, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offense.
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The I&B Ministry has also incorporated Rule 7 of the IT Rules 2021, which stipulates that an intermediary that does not comply with these regulations will not receive protection under Section 79(1) of the Act and will face penalties as per relevant laws. Part 3 of the IT Rules, 2021, governed by the I&B Ministry, pertains to publishers of news and current affairs content as well as online curated content on digital platforms. These publishers must follow the Code of Ethics attached to the rules, which forbids the dissemination or broadcasting of unlawful content.
The Nodal Officer, designated as the Authorized Officer and Joint Secretary of the I&B Ministry, signed the notification concerning the notification of intermediaries about unlawful information, as stated in an office order dated December 21, 2023. The Ministry has identified 25 applications that are in violation of several laws, including Section 67 and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act 2000, Section 294 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women Act 1986.
The government has issued a strict directive to Internet Service Providers to disable or eliminate public access to these websites within India. MIB has also communicated with the Director of the Department of Telecommunications, GOI, urging them to assist the ISPs in achieving compliance.
This ban highlights the government’s dedication to enforcing digital content regulations and ensuring compliance with Indian laws. To view the full list of banned apps, continue reading.
Complete List of Banned Websites/Apps
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- ALTT- https://altt.co.in
- ULLU- https://landing.ullu.app
- Big Shots App- https://bigshots.co.in
- Desiflix- https://desiflix.beer
- Boomex- https://boomex.app
- Navarasa Lite- https://navarasaworld.com
- Gulab App- https://gulabapp.com
- Kangan App- https://kangan.app
- Bull App- https://bullapp.in
- Jalva app- https://jalva.app
- Wow Entertainment- https://wowentertainment.in
- Look Entertainment- https://lookentertainment.in
- Hit Prime- https://hitprime.in
- Feneo- https://feneo.vip
- ShowX- https://showx.app
- Sol Talkies- https://soltalkies.in
- Adda TV- https://addatv.app
- HotX VIP- https://hotx.vip
- Hulchal App- https://hulchal.co.in
- MoodX- https://bit.ly/moodxxvip
- NeonX VIP- https://neonxvip.in
- ShowHit- https://showhit.app
- Fugi- https://fugi.app
- Mojiflix- https://mojiflix.com
- Triflicks- https://triflicks.in
All these platforms have frequently drawn criticism for publishing erotic and semi-pornographic web series marketed as adult entertainment.
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