25 OTT Platforms and Websites Showing Obscene Content Banned by Government – What Happens to Yearly Subscribers?
In a major crackdown, the central government has banned 25 OTT platforms accused of streaming obscene content. According to the government, these apps were serving explicit and objectionable material under the guise of entertainment. A formal notification has been issued, directing internet service providers to block access to these OTT platforms. The list of banned apps includes popular names like ALT, Ullu, and Desi Flicks. ALT Balaji was launched in 2017 by TV producer Ekta Kapoor, while Ullu was founded in 2018 by Vibhu Agarwal, an IIT Kanpur graduate.
18 OTT Platforms Were Banned Earlier in 2024
This is not the first instance of such action. Earlier in 2024, the government had also banned 18 OTT platforms. Additionally, 19 websites, 57 social media handles, and 10 mobile apps were also blocked. This raises a pressing question – what about users who had already purchased yearly subscriptions to these now-banned platforms?
A Variety of OTT Platforms
Globally, there are numerous OTT platforms offering a wide range of movies, web series, and other forms of content. Some of these platforms allow users to stream content for free, while others operate on a paid subscription model. Among the apps recently banned by the government, some offered free content, requiring no payment from users. However, others charged users for access, which brings us to the core concern.
What Happens to Subscriptions on Banned OTT Platforms?
For platforms that required paid subscriptions, the ban has left users in a difficult position. Those who had purchased annual plans are now unable to access the content they paid for. Their subscriptions are effectively nullified, leaving them with no immediate recourse. These users are now forced to look for alternative platforms, which may not offer the same content, features, or ease of access.
As of now, there is no official word from the government or these platforms regarding refunds or compensation, adding to the frustration of affected subscribers.
