In a firm directive issued just a day after the Indian Army's high-impact Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has advised all OTT platforms, streaming services, and digital intermediaries operating in India to immediately discontinue hosting content originating from Pakistan. The advisory applies to web series, films, music, podcasts, and other digital content—whether paid or free—and comes amid heightened national security concerns.
No Pakistani content on OTT
According to the official communication, platforms must refrain from streaming any web series, films, music, podcasts or other media that have been produced in Pakistan or have Pakistani origins — regardless of whether they are offered as part of a subscription or are freely available. The decision applies across the board, covering all digital platforms currently catering to Indian audiences. The advisory invokes provisions from the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which require digital publishers to avoid content that can compromise India’s sovereignty, incite violence, or harm diplomatic ties.
“In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,” read the ministry’s advisory.