India has ordered the blocking of 25 streaming platforms—many boasting millions of viewers and even paying subscribers—on the grounds of allegedly spreading "obscene" content. This marks one of the largest digital crackdowns ever carried out by the South Asian nation. The ban impacts lesser-known but extremely popular services such as Ullu and ALTT, which have catered to the country's mass-market demand for adult and edgy entertainment.
As TechCrunch learned, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued directives this week to block access to websites and applications associated with these 25 streaming services. The move was based on provisions outlined in the Information Technology Act of 2000 and the IT Rules of 2021.
The order came several months after two key bodies—the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology—expressed worries about mature content being streamed on these platforms without sufficient protective measures in place.
A source with knowledge of the situation told TechCrunch that earlier this week, the Indian government reached out to internet service providers (ISPs) as well as app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store, requesting them to restrict access to these streaming services.
At the time this article was being written, some of these services—particularly the major ones with millions of subscribers—were still operational.
Neither Google nor Apple responded to requests for comment. Additionally, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting did not reply to an email sent on Friday.
Among the 25 banned streaming services, 10 offered in-app purchase options through their apps on Google Play and the Apple App Store. According to exclusive Appfigures data shared with TechCrunch, these 10 apps have collectively generated $5.7 million in revenue since their launch and have been downloaded nearly 105 million times. The significant gap between in-app purchase revenue and download numbers is mainly due to their low subscription fees—far lower than those of global platforms like Netflix in India.
| Service | Net Revenue | Downloads |
|---|---|---|
| ALTT | $1,700 | 57,900,000 |
| Big Shots | $2,900 | 5,700 |
| Boomex | — | 2,200 |
| Bull | — | 4,400 |
| Hitprime | $15,300 | 893,000 |
| Hulchul | $33,900 | 600,700 |
| Jalva | $18,600 | 611,000 |
| Kangan | $36,400 | 645,000 |
| Look Entertainment | — | 292,000 |
| MoodX | $13,570 | 1,513,600 |
| Sol Talkies | — | 8,100 |
| Triflicks | $80 | — |
| Jllu | $5,600,000 | 42,500,000 |
| Wow Entertainment | $1,700 | 487,900 |
Lifetime totals of banned streaming services from Google Play and Apple App Store
Image Credits: Appfigures
Notably, some of these streaming services were never listed on conventional app stores, while others had been removed previously. Instead, they made their apps available for direct download as APK files. As of the publication of this article, certain of these APK files were still accessible via the services' own websites or third-party platforms.
Earlier this month, Balaji Telefilms—the Indian production company that owns ALTT—revealed that its streaming app had generated ₹202.6 million ($2.3 million) in revenue in 2025, along with adding 1.06 million new subscribers. The company also stated that ALTT's content had been watched for more than 5.8 million hours and had received 160 million annual views.
At the time this article was filed, ALTT's app was no longer available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store in India, and its website could not be accessed through most Indian ISPs.
Balaji Telefilms did not respond to a request for comment regarding the ban.
Ullu, another relatively well-known streaming service named in the Indian government's ban order, was still available via its app on the Indian version of the Play Store, and its website was also accessible. However, the service's iOS app was not available for download from the Indian App Store.
According to a regulatory filing reviewed by TechCrunch, Ullu Digital—the parent company of Ullu—reported a net profit of ₹212.3 million ($2.5 million) for the 2024 financial year. The company also posted a revenue of ₹931.4 million ($11 million) and announced a net worth of ₹2.08 billion ($24 million).
Ullu Digital did not respond to requests for comment.
In addition to generating millions of dollars in subscription revenue, these streaming services also attracted millions of global visits to their websites.
Worldwide monthly visits of streaming services banned by the Indian government (in millions)
According to Similarweb data, Ullu experienced nearly 10% year-over-year growth in global traffic, reaching 1.9 million visits in June. Meanwhile, ALTT saw an even more impressive growth of over 130%, with visits totaling 776,400.
In India specifically, Similarweb's data shows that Ullu recorded an 18.9% year-over-year increase in visits, hitting 1.8 million. ALTT, on the other hand, saw a massive 157.8% jump, with visits reaching 696,200.
June web traffic to streaming services banned by the Indian government in India (Desktop and mobile visits, in millions)
ullu.app hotx.vip triflicks.com alt.co.in bullapp.in lookentertainment.app moodx.tv neonxvip.com hulchul.co.in
feneo.vip addatv.app
Source: Similarweb, TechCrunch analysis
It is important to note that this is not the first time the streaming industry in India has faced a crackdown. Global platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix frequently encounter instances of censorship by the Indian government.
However, even harsher actions are taken in cases involving alleged obscenity, despite the lack of clear regulations. Notably, watching explicit content that features fully consensual interactions between adult actors in a private setting is not considered a crime under current laws.
Back in 2023, India's then-Minister of Information and Broadcasting issued a warning to streaming platforms, urging them not to host abusive and obscene content. The Indian government in New Delhi has also blocked thousands of websites that stream pornographic material. Earlier this year, in April, India's Supreme Court issued notices to both streaming platforms and the Indian government in response to a plea calling for the regulation of sexually explicit content.
That said, curbing obscene content continues to be a challenge for the Indian government. Smaller streaming services—similar to those targeted in this latest crackdown—often resurface under new names, with new apps, and on new domains. For intermediaries like Google, Apple, and ISPs, fully blocking access to these services is equally difficult. This is because these platforms often spread through alternative channels and use social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to attract viewers.