India Orders OTT Platforms to Remove All Pakistani Content Following Pahalgam Terror Attack
New Delhi, May 8, 2025 – In a significant move prioritizing national security, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued an official advisory mandating all OTT platforms, media streaming services, and intermediaries in India to remove content originating from Pakistan with immediate effect.
The directive, dated May 8, 2025, comes in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of several Indian nationals, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to many others. Investigations have linked this attack to cross-border terrorism involving Pakistan-based state and non-state actors.
The advisory, issued under the authority of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, emphasizes the importance of upholding the sovereignty and integrity of India. The guidelines outline that publishers of online curated content must exercise due caution and discretion regarding content that:
- Affects the sovereignty and integrity of India
- Jeopardizes the security of the state
- Harms India’s relations with foreign countries
- Has the potential to incite violence or disturb public order
Additionally, intermediaries are required to make reasonable efforts to ensure their platforms are not used to publish or share content that could threaten national unity, security, or public order.
Citing the rising security threats and the role of media in shaping public perception, the MIB has instructed that all web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other streaming media originating from Pakistan—regardless of whether they are offered on a subscription-based model or not—be taken down without delay.
The directive, signed by Deputy Director Kshitij Aggarwal, has been circulated to OTT content publishers, media streaming platforms, intermediaries, self-regulatory bodies, and associations related to the OTT industry. The announcement also carried the hashtags #OperationSindoor and #IndiaFightsPropaganda, reinforcing the government’s stance on combating cross-border influence and propaganda.
This move marks a strong assertion of India’s media regulation policy in the digital space and underscores the government’s resolve in countering content that poses a risk to national security.
