BGMI Game Ban: In 2020, the popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds(PUBG) was banned in India due to its association with Chinese publisher Tencent. Subsequently, the game re-entered the Indian market under a rebranded version called Avatar Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), developed by the Singaporean company Krafton. However, there are concerns that BGMI may also face a ban.
BGMI GAME May Face A Ban
According to sources close to the matter, Indian officials are apprehensive about the potential national security risks posed by the data collected through the game, which could be exploited for cyber attacks. A senior official from the Cyber Security Division of the Central Government, responsible for coordinating with law enforcement agencies, reportedly recommended shutting down the app.
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Regarding Seema Haider’s connection, the report does not provide explicit reasons but mentions factors such as the presence of Pakistani citizen Seema Haider in India and other associated crimes. It’s alleged that Seema Haider met her partner Sachin Meena through the BGMI platform. While the game server is located in America, Indian agencies express concerns about the possibility of data transfer to servers elsewhere, potentially facilitating cyber attacks and compromising national security.
An intelligence agency report indicates several violations that could lead to cyber threats, including the collection of user data for profiling with the intent of conducting targeted cyber attacks on Indian users. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has informed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) about these concerns.
Additionally, the intelligence agency’s report highlights direct or indirect communication with servers in China as a significant issue with the app. Other ‘rebranded’ apps are also reportedly communicating with servers in China and are under investigation. A crucial meeting is scheduled for next week to address these issues, during which the company will present its case, and central agencies will review their stance before making a decision regarding the game’s future.
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