New Delhi: The Government of India has blocked 25 mobile apps and websites for displaying objectionable and pornographic advertisements, according to a Storyboard18 report. Acting on the direction of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been ordered to disable public access to these platforms within India.
The banned apps and websites include ALTT, ULLU, Big Shots, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab, Kangan, Bull, Jalva, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix, and Triflicks.
Authorities found these platforms in violation of multiple laws including Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The government invoked rules under the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, holding intermediaries accountable for hosting or failing to take down unlawful content.
The Ministry highlighted that under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, intermediaries lose legal immunity if they fail to act on government orders to block unlawful content. Rule 7 of the IT Rules also makes them liable for punishment under applicable laws if they do not comply.
In a related crackdown, the Centre informed Parliament that 1,524 illegal gambling and betting websites and apps have been blocked between 2022 and June 2025. Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, said the move targets offshore platforms evading Indian tax laws. These companies must register under the IGST Act and are subject to 28% GST on online gaming revenue.
