Is your child safe from the Ullu App? The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) does not think so. Its latest letter urges the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to take action against the Ullu App. Why? The NCPCR cites concerns over its “extremely obscene and objectionable” content.
NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo emphasized that the app is easily accessible on both Google Play and iOS App Store. However, its content is not safe behind a KYC (Know Your Customer) or paywall. Thus, its explicit and suggestive content is available for downloading or viewing content for adults as well as young children. Moreover, the NCPCT cites a direct violation of Section 11 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 by Ullu App in its letter. Therefore, they ask the MeitY for stricter regulations governing digital content providers. Let’s talk!
Is the Ullu App Showing “ADULT” Content?!
The OTT industry saw a sharp spike in demand and revenue since 2020. This particular application has seen a record growth of over 200% since COVID-19 lockdowns. Surveys and reports state that the a large chunk of Ullu app user are under 35 years of age. Its trailers and content are openly marketed on YouTube and other social media platforms. These clips tell a degrading tale of sexually explicit and soft pornographic series. Unfortunately, this suggestive content is popular among Bharat’s sexually repressed and inquisitive youth.
Ullu’s content is targeted at the common man of India. Their goal is to excite all those who seek to find cheap thrills while indulging in their sexual need for masculine-centric soft ‘adult’ content.
Consequently, Ullu presets BDSM, homosexuality, extramarital affairs, non consensual intimacy, etc. in relateable scenarios for common and easy consumption.
The content stops just short of full nudity, it explicitly hints at ‘adult’ intimacy. Therefore, it skirts the edge of the 2018 ban on pornographic content. The platform’s content is not only centered on human sexuality but it hides behind the genres of mystery and thriller series which also serve a healthy dose of over sexualization of women. Toxic masculinity, promiscuity, and venomous feminism are all part of the content’s baseline. Thus, the Ullu’s content can be called the Modern “Mastraam” in a video format.
Why Is Ullu App Dangerous For Children?
The Ullu app is freely available to all. Its paywall does not bar access to all of this OTT’s questionable content. Some of its videos and series are available to all, irrespective of age. The morally questionable and titillating trailers revel in the deviant side of human intimacy. They degrade the union between a man and woman and use it to create a sexual fantasy for the deprived repressed minds.
Reports allege That The Ullu App is presenting underage and sexually deviant content.
users have filed a complaint with the NCPCR highlighting specific shows on the app featuring explicit sexual scenes and plotlines targeting schoolchildren.
Reports state that one show even depicted sexual intercourse between schoolchildren. This type of OTT content raises serious concerns about the ease of access to minors. So you decide readers, is the Ullu App safe for all?
Musings Of the Mind
The buzz around this incident underscores two major issues faced by the modern Bharat. Firstly, Bharat must examine the broader issue of content regulation in the digital age. There is an urgent need for regulatory measures to ensure the safety of minors in the online OTT world. And secondly, the unregulated access to digital devices among minors in Bharat.
While the NCPCR’s actions potentially address the first concern, the second concern needs active parent involvement. Hopefully, the incident with the Ullu App will lead to significant changes in how digital content is accessed and regulated in India. Moreover, regulatory authorities, content providers, and technology companies will actively work together to safeguard children in the digital realm.
However, OTT platforms and their suggestive content are only part of the problem. Banning pornographic content and regulating OTT is only half a solution to Bharat’s problems. The final solution will have to come from parents. If children have unregulated access to digital devices and the internet, there are many ways to find objectionable content in the digital world. Modern parents need to guide, educate, and monitor their children whenever they are using any internet service or device. Apart from the physical harm such access creates, the psychological shadow of the gamut of things available on the internet may leave scars in young minds.
Beware parents of the content that your child watches! May this complaint and the NCPCR’s letter lead to new OTT rules that would save the future Bharat from being corrupted! However, until these regulations are in place, and probably even after that, Bharatvasis must stay vigilant and wise. Stand united to protect the future generations of India and help them grow safely.