Ban On OTT Platforms: ALT Balaji And ULLU Out! Why the Real Risk Is What Kids Can Access Without Restrictions

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On July 25, 2025, the Indian government pulled the plug on 25 OTT platforms-including ULLU, ALTT (earlier ALTBalaji), Desiflix, and a string of smaller apps. These services were blocked for streaming content that was found to be sexually explicit, vulgar, or deliberately provocative with no age restrictions in place.

The action wasn't just about one or two shows going too far. It came after repeated warnings, ignored flags, and the platforms' refusal to rein in content even when minors could easily access it. Now, with this sweeping ban in place, it's sparked a more pressing conversation for families and parents: if this kind of content was so accessible, what were kids really watching?

Kids Are Watching, Even When We Think They Aren't

OTT platforms today operate with ease: a smartphone, an internet connection, and a few taps. That's all it takes. While some services do have "18+" tags or pop-up disclaimers, they often don't have any real gatekeeping. No ID checks. No KYC. Just a click-through warning-and you're in.

In fact, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had already flagged platforms like ULLU for not having basic age-verification systems in place. Even after receiving notices, many platforms either ignored them or re-uploaded the same content under slightly different packaging.

So while we assume kids are watching cartoons or light comedy, it's entirely possible they've stumbled into semi-erotic series that weren't even trying to hide behind strong storytelling.

What The Data Shows

A LocalCircles survey last year found that around 66% of parents in Indian cities worry their kids are "hooked" on screens. Many admitted their children spend over 3 hours daily on video content-including OTT shows.

Separate findings published in academic reports show that over half of Indian parents believe their child's behaviour, language, and ideas are directly influenced by what they see online. Yet, only a small fraction of parents actively monitor watchlists or use parental control tools.

It's not just about nudity or explicit scenes. Even storylines that normalise aggression, humiliation, or distorted views of intimacy can quietly shape young minds. Especially when they're unsupervised.

Photo Credit: Freepik

Why The Filter System Isn't Working

You'd think with all the tech these platforms have, they'd be able to restrict access better. But most don't.

• Age categories are often cosmetic.
• Parental control options are buried deep or confusing to set up.
• Separate child profiles are rare.
• Some platforms don't even require an email to get started.

So even when content is marked "18+," there's nothing stopping a 14-year-old from hitting play. Unlike cinema halls or cable TV, OTT platforms operate on trust-and not everyone is keeping that trust.

More Than Just A Content Problem

Let's be honest-OTT platforms didn't invent bad content. But what they did create is constant access. Shows that were once considered fringe or "adult-only" are now available 24/7, without oversight, and often without context.

And when platforms rely on half-naked thumbnails or loud sexual tension to grab clicks, it stops being about storytelling. It becomes about pulling in attention-and in the process, younger viewers get caught in the dragnet.

It's not about shielding children from reality. It's about recognising that not every reality is age-appropriate, especially when it's stylised, distorted, or glorified for the sake of binge value.

What Can We Actually Do?

For now, it's unlikely that regulations alone will fix this. But there are small, solid steps families can take today:

• Set up child profiles on platforms that offer them
• Enable parental controls-even if it takes a few minutes to figure them out
• Watch shows together once in a while, and talk about what's okay and what feels off
• Check the watch history-not to snoop, but to understand

Most importantly, talk to your kids. Not with judgment, but with curiosity. Ask them what they're watching. Why they like it. What they think about certain scenes. You'll be surprised at how aware they already are.

This Ban Isn't Just About Apps, It's About What Enters Our Homes Unchecked

The recent OTT ban isn't just a one-off crackdown, it's a reflection of where we are. Platforms like ULLU and Desiflix didn't succeed in spite of the content they offered; they thrived because no one was really looking.

The government has drawn a line, but the bigger question is this: are we drawing one at home?

Photo Credit: Freepik

With OTT becoming such a central part of daily entertainment, what's on screen and who's watching, deserves more than a shrug. This moment might be the pause we all needed to ask: are we watching responsibly, or are we just scrolling blindly?