25 Apps And Sites Including ALTBalaji And ULLU Banned Over Pornographic Content; Internet Jibes ‘Now Fix Roads’
The government of India has banned 25 apps and websites, including ALTBalaji and ULLU for allegedly hosting content deemed vulgar, obscene, and even pornographic in some cases.
Per the sources cited by the Hindustan Times, the center barred access to the sites for violating Indian laws by hosting content with sexual issues and prolonged scenes with sexually explicit acts. Per the anonymous source at the ministry of information and broadcasting, this content lacked any meaningful storyline or social message. The government also raised red flags over inappropriate depictions of family relationships in the content across the banned apps and sites.
While a formal notification by the government is awaited, a notice under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, has been served to intermediary platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and others.
🚨#BREAKING | The central government has banned multiple apps and websites for allegedly hosting obscene, vulgar, and adult content, including platforms allegedly promoting soft porn. Among those targeted in the crackdown are ALTBalaji, ULLU, Big Shots App, Desiflix, Boomex,… pic.twitter.com/yKrpH0rVms
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) July 25, 2025
Here’s a complete list of the banned apps and portals
- ALTBalaji (ALTT)
- Ullu
- Desiflix
- Mojflix
- Triflicks
- Boomex
- ShowX
- MoodX
- Sol Talkies
- Adda TV
- HotX VIP
- NeonX VIP
- Hulchul App
- Big Shots App
- Gulab App
- Kangan App
- Bull App
- Jalva App
- Navarasa Lite
- Wow Entertainment
- Look Entertainment
- Hitprime
- Fugi
- Feneo
- ShowHit
For the latest news and updates, visit: https://t.co/by4FF5o0Ew pic.twitter.com/xGBMWaoNLs
— NDTV Profit (@NDTVProfitIndia) July 25, 2025
Meanwhile, netizens dropped memes and reactions over the report. One user commented, “India’s biggest concern…right here.. Lol.” Another quipped, “Little late to the party…these guys have already created their user base and can easily switch them to private apk for app downloads!!!” A third user asked, “When will the Gambling Ads/Vimal Ads be BANNED?”
Yet another remarked, “Basically admitting that they were sleeping all these days or probably making money on the side.”
AltNews co-founder and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair stated, “Glad that these paid soft-porn apps are banned.” He further asked, “but what is MeitY and Ashwini Vaishnaw doing to stop free access to hardcore porn on the X (twitter) platform?”
Another user took a dig, “Central govt doing what they are not supposed to do. Fix roads, fucking ministers.”
India’s biggest concern…right here.. lol
— The Casual Fan (@effonecasualfan) July 25, 2025
Padma Shri to be taken back ? pic.twitter.com/hYjMlMgxaS
— Radeon (@radeon_24) July 25, 2025
When will the Gambling Ads/Vimal Ads be BANNED @PMOIndia @HMOIndia ???
— Sudakshina Das (@SuRia2) July 25, 2025
Central govt doing what they are not supposed to do.
Fix roads, fucking ministers .
— Neo_22 🇵🇸🇮🇳 (@Neel_new_22) July 25, 2025
Basically admitting that they were sleeping all these days or probably making money on the side
— InformdVoice (@InformdVoice) July 25, 2025
Little late to the party….
these guys have already created their user base, can easily switch them to private apk for app downloads!!!
— ASISH DASH (@dashasish) July 25, 2025
Ekta Kapoor after hearing this news https://t.co/JWiajvEoTH pic.twitter.com/AFQBLeUMkB
— Shudh Neta (@shudhneta) July 25, 2025
Glad that these paid soft-porn apps are banned but what is @GoI_MeitY @AshwiniVaishnaw doing to stop free access to hardcore porn on X (twitter) platform? https://t.co/CgX1LKiKm0
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 25, 2025
Hungama OTT https://t.co/QbI9Z8Bz6q pic.twitter.com/7cIpvxk38p
— Nachiket 🇮🇳 🚩 (@Nicotweeen) July 25, 2025
Cover: Patrick Gawande / Mashable India
