Government Cracks Down on Online Film Piracy
India’s Central Government has intensified its campaign against online film piracy, targeting websites, Telegram channels and other digital platforms that distribute copyrighted movies without authorisation. The measures were detailed by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan in a written response to the Lok Sabha on August 5, 2026.
The government’s enforcement powers have been strengthened through the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023. The legislation introduced specific provisions against unauthorised recording and distribution of films and enables authorities to take action against online intermediaries that host or facilitate access to pirated material.
These powers operate alongside India’s Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology Rules, 2021. Online intermediaries are required to remove or disable unlawful content when they receive a court order or an official notice from the government or an authorised agency.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also established a dedicated mechanism through which copyright holders can report illegally uploaded films. After a complaint is verified, authorities can issue takedown notices requiring platforms and intermediaries to remove or block the infringing material. The Joint Secretary for Films has been authorised to issue such notices, allowing the government to respond more quickly to piracy complaints.
According to the government, these enforcement measures have resulted in 7,393 piracy related URLs being disabled. The crackdown includes 1,263 websites and 4,996 Telegram channels distributing films without authorisation.
The broader objective is to make online piracy more difficult, strengthen copyright enforcement and protect India’s film and entertainment industries from the financial impact of unauthorised digital distribution. The latest figures show that authorities are increasingly focusing on intermediaries and messaging platforms as important channels through which pirated movies circulate online.
