India Cracks Down: 25 Streaming Platforms Banned Over Obscenity & Child Safety Risks

India's digital purge hits hard—regulators just axed 25 streaming apps in a sweeping move against explicit content and child exploitation. No warnings, no grace periods—just a hard shutdown.

Why now? The government's playing catch-up after years of lax oversight let these platforms operate in gray zones. Critics say the ban reeks of political posturing ahead of next year's elections.

Meanwhile, investors in these platforms are left holding the bag—another reminder that in the Wild West of digital content, regulators always have the last laugh (and the biggest guns).

TLDRs;

• India bans 25 streaming platforms for promoting “obscene” content, citing child safety and regulatory breaches.
• Popular adult apps like Ullu and ALTT are among those ordered to shut down access across app stores.
• Streaming traffic continues to grow despite bans, exposing limits in enforcement and consumer demand for such content.
• Regulatory bodies raise concerns over platforms bypassing filters and offering easy access to explicit media.

The Indian government has banned 25 streaming apps accused of promoting “obscene” material.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting invoked the Information Technology Act of 2000 and the IT Rules of 2021 to justify the move, responding to concerns from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and a Parliamentary IT committee.

The affected platforms include Ullu and ALTT, apps well-known for their adult-oriented shows and low-cost subscriptions. Despite being lesser-known outside niche audiences, these services have gained significant popularity among Indian users.

App Stores Instructed to Enforce Ban

The ministry directed top internet service providers and tech giants like Google and Apple to remove the apps from app stores and block their web access.

While some apps like ALTT are no longer available through conventional means, others such as Ullu remain accessible via sideloading or third-party APK platforms.

Appfigures data shows that 10 of the banned apps collectively generated around $5.7 million in revenue across 105 million downloads, an indicator of their mass reach and profitability. Their success has largely been attributed to direct-to-user distribution models and subscription fees as low as ₹99 per month.

Child Rights Body Flags Risk

Despite the bans, web traffic data shows continued growth. According to Similarweb, Ullu saw a 10% year-over-year increase globally, with nearly 1.9 million visits in June alone. ALTT’s numbers were even more striking, with a 130% year-over-year jump globally and a 158% surge in Indian viewership.

The rising consumption of adult content in the streaming space has sparked wider debates around online safety, especially for minors. Many of these apps reportedly lacked basic content age restrictions or parental controls, prompting criticism from child protection authorities.

Ullu, ALTT Revenues Signal Massive Market Demand

Ullu Digital reported a gross revenue of ₹931.4 million ($11 million) in FY 2024, with net profits of ₹212.3 million ($2.5 million). Its market value now stands at ₹2.08 billion ($24 million).

ALTT, backed by Balaji Telefilms, attracted over 1 million new subscribers in 2025, resulting in 160 million views and ₹202.6 million ($2.3 million) in revenue.

However, as of now, ALTT’s website and app are inaccessible in India across most ISPs. This raises concerns about content regulation clashing with the economic potential of digital media in India’s streaming boom.

Balancing Free Speech and Regulation in the Digital Age

This isn’t the first time India has taken action on online content. Global players like Netflix and Amazon Prime have previously faced legal notices and content takedown demands. In April , India’s Supreme Court issued show-cause notices to OTT platforms after appeals to restrict adult content.

Despite regulatory pushback, enforcement remains a major hurdle. Apps often rebrand, shift domains, and leverage platforms like YouTube and Instagram to drive traffic. As India pushes for digital decency, the tension between free speech and cultural regulation is only growing more complex.