Indian politicians are calling for a ban on Battlegrounds Mobile India even before its launch, igniting fierce debate among gamers. This year's most anticipated battle royale title has kept fans waiting, with pre-registrations imminent after Krafton's confirmation following regulatory hurdles.
In a preemptive move, ministers have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to block PUBG Mobile's successor. Krafton has yet to reveal a release date, but calls for prohibition have already escalated.
Related: Battlegrounds Mobile India: New In-Game Map Revealed
Here's a closer look at the lawmakers pushing for the ban and their key concerns.
PUBG Mobile, a global battle royale sensation, was banned in India in September 2020. Many players turned to the Korean version (PUBG Mobile KR), accessible without VPNs. However, Krafton restricted access for non-Korea/Japan players starting July 1, 2021, leaving Indian fans sidelined.
Until then, Indians downloaded APKs to play PUBG Mobile KR. With Battlegrounds Mobile India's pre-registrations underway and teasers featuring a new logo, hopes rose—only for politicians to intervene. Launch eyed for July, former Union Minister and Arunachal Pradesh MP Ninong Ering warned of threats to privacy and security in a letter to the PM.
MP Abhishek Singhvi tweeted concerns over Tencent's potential re-entry. Ninong Ering accused Krafton, Tencent, and PUBG India Pvt. Ltd. of skirting laws via a rebranded launch to harvest user data for foreign entities, calling it "Chinese deception."
While pre-release bans are rare without government approval, data security issues could prompt action. Fans worry history may repeat, despite no mandatory permissions for game launches.
Pre-registrations and APK details for Battlegrounds Mobile India 2021
