MediaNama’s Take
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s (MIB) decision to block entire streaming platforms raises questions about both proportionality and effectiveness. MediaNama independently verified that the Google Play Store and Apple App Store have removed these applications. However, the Mood X website continues to offer an APK download for Android users. In a market where Android dominates, removal from official app stores doesn’t necessarily result in significant access limitations. Users can still sideload applications, particularly when platforms themselves provide direct installation files.
That reality complicates the government’s enforcement approach. If the objective is to prevent access to allegedly unlawful content, then blocking distribution through app stores alone may offer only partial compliance. At the same time, sweeping platform-level blocking orders risk expanding state control without fully addressing technical workarounds that remain available to users.
In February 2025, after the Ranveer Allahbadia controversy prompted a government advisory, MediaNama founder Nikhil Pahwa observed: “It’s almost an indication that they don’t intend to create separate rules for addressing obscenity online, and that’s important.” If the government maintains that the existing legal framework is sufficient, then enforcement must demonstrate both precision and practical effectiveness. Otherwise, it risks combining broad censorship with limited real-world impact.
What’s the news?
Over-the-top (OTT) platforms MoodXVIP, Koyal Playpro, Digi Movieplex, Feel, and Jugnu have been taken offline by the MIB after due process, government sources told Asian News International (ANI). The action followed allegations that these services were carrying obscene material.
According to the sources, the Ministry said that much of the content showcased by these platforms involved graphic sexual innuendos, long sequences of nudity, and pornographic visuals. “There was hardly any storyline, theme, or message in a social context,” they said. Some content was also found to depict inappropriate sexual situations involving family relationships, further aggravating concerns over legality and decency, according to ANI.
Furthermore, officials relied on the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules), to implement the blocking orders. These laws require digital intermediaries to prevent the dissemination of unlawful material and to observe due diligence obligations. Section 67 of the IT Act prescribes penalties for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form, while Section 67A deals with content depicting sexually explicit acts.
MediaNama independently verified that the Google Play Store and Apple App Store have removed these apps. However, the Mood X website still offers an APK…
Source link
Disclaimer
We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards in all of our reporting and coverage. We blogs.grocliq.com want to be transparent with our readers about any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work. It’s possible that some of the investors we feature may have connections to other businesses, including competitors or companies we write about. However, we want to assure our readers that this will not have any impact on the integrity or impartiality of our reporting. We are committed to delivering accurate, unbiased news and information to our audience, and we will continue to uphold our ethics and principles in all of our work. Thank you for your trust and support.
Website Upgradation is going on for any glitch kindly connect at [email protected]
