India, July 25 -- The central government has ordered the blocking of 25 OTT platforms and associated mobile applications, including prominent names like ALTBalaji and Ullu, for allegedly distributing obscene, vulgar, and in some cases 'pornographic' content, official sources confirmed on Friday.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the action was prompted after authorities found the platforms to be in "serious violation" of Indian laws governing digital content.

The banned platforms reportedly hosted videos and web series laden with "sexual innuendos" and, in many instances, extended scenes of "sexually explicit acts involving nudity", which were deemed "pornographic in nature."

A source said that much of the material featu...