FIR Filed Against BGMI Over User Data Sale Scandal

In a sudden turn of events that has stunned the Indian gaming and technology community, Krafton India the maker of hit mobile game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is now in serious legal hot water. An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered, alleging that the company and four of its top executives shared and monetised confidential user data illegally. As per reports, subscriber data was purportedly sold to third parties at a price of ₹2,000 (~$25) per subscriber.

This incendiary charge raises important questions regarding data privacy, corporate governance, and user protection in India's burgeoning online gaming market. Here's all you need to know about the case, the charges, the legal fallout, and what it might imply for millions of BGMI gamers across India.

What Is the Case About?

On September 5, 2024, an FIR under number 0474/2024 was registered against Krafton India and its four top-level executives. The FIR was made under a court order issued as per Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). This gives magistrates power to order police to investigate a cognizable crime.

The offences charged are serious and are:

Criminal conspiracy
Cheating
Breach of data protection laws
Disclosure of personal data without authorization

The key charge? Krafton India sold Indian gamers' sensitive user information illicitly for ₹2,000 a subscriber to third-party firms, reportedly making money on the confidential data of Indian gamers by millions.

Krafton, BGMI, and PUBG

To understand the gravity of this FIR, it's essential to look at the background of Krafton in India:

PUBG Banned in India (2020)

PUBG Mobile, developed by South Korean gaming company Krafton and licensed by Tencent (a Chinese tech giant), was one of the most downloaded games in India.
In September 2020, the Indian government banned PUBG Mobile along with 117 other Chinese apps citing concerns over data privacy and national security.

Rise of BGMI

After the ban, Krafton took matters into its own hands and re-launched a rebranded version of the game called Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) in July 2021.
BGMI was promoted as an India-specific game that complied with local data storage and privacy norms.
It quickly regained massive popularity with over 100 million downloads, but not without facing scrutiny over data security.

FIR Details and Legal Charges

Here are the legal sections invoked in the FIR:

Section 120B IPC – Criminal Conspiracy
Section 420 IPC – Cheating
Sections related to IT Act & Data Protection (specific sections to be detailed in court)

Court Directive

The FIR was not filed based on a police complaint directly but was through a court order, making the case that much more serious. This signifies that prima facie evidence would suffice to provide grounds for official investigation.

Upcoming Hearing

A hearing in the case is to take place before the Bombay High Court on April 15, 2025. Law experts feel this case might turn out to be a landmark judgment for data protection in India's digital world.

Who Are the Accused?

The FIR that was submitted in the ongoing case directly indicts the top management of Krafton India, even if the full roster of those involved has not yet been made public. What we do know is that among the accused are four senior executives who would probably be responsible for key areas of the company's business including data processing, monetization strategies, privacy policy enforcement, and adherence to the law. This isn't being addressed as a mere mistake or act of a single renegade employee, but is being treated as a grave company-level offense. Krafton India itself is the name given as the main accused, suggesting that the said offenses arise from the decision-making at the top level of the organization.

Data Privacy Concerns

India has historically grappled with data protection regulations. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, recently cleared by Parliament, seeks to put a lid on such activity but enforcement is a challenge.

Why Selling Data Is a Serious Offense

Selling personal data without consent is a clear violation of several privacy principles:

Consent-based data processing
User right to data protection
Prohibition against monetization of sensitive data

The alleged act of monetizing data at ₹2,000 per subscriber could mean billions in illegal revenue if proven true, considering BGMI’s large user base.

Impact on BGMI Players

For more than 100 million BGMI gamers in India, this news has been a shocker and has raised some serious questions. Several are now thinking Is my data really safe? Could their personal data have been leaked or even sold to third parties without their knowledge? The uncertainty has caused some gamers to even think of uninstalling the game entirely until the fog is cleared. With no word from Krafton India as of yet, the silence is only fueling the concern. Gamers everywhere are calling for straight answers and complete transparency on the part of the company. After all, when it comes to our information and privacy, we have a right to know what's truly happening behind closed doors.

Government's Role

For many gamers and tech observers, this scenario is a case of déjà vu. It's not the first time Krafton and by extension, its previous association with Tencent has gotten into trouble in India. Back in 2020, PUBG Mobile was famously banned under Section 69A of the IT Act. That act gives the Indian government the power to ban apps that are dangerous to the sovereignty, integrity, or national security of the country. The PUBG ban created a huge precedent, and now, with BGMI in the crosshairs again, history may well be repeating itself.

Even though Krafton India has made repeated assertions of adhering to data localization laws and remaining compliant with Indian regulations, the FIR filed now raises some important questions. If the charges turn out to be true, then BGMI might be banned anew or at least temporarily suspended. In this vein, a few government agencies have reportedly been pressured to intervene some are advising a full examination of Krafton India's handling of data procedures, while some recommend suspending BGMI till the investigation ends. There's even increasing talk of the necessity to establish a special gaming data watchdog to guarantee user privacy in the thriving Indian gaming industry.

India’s Growing Concern Over Data Sovereignty

As India develops into one of the globe's largest and most dynamic digital economies, issues related to data sovereignty have moved into the forefront. With millions of users dependent on apps and platforms every day, the need for more robust digital protections has never been greater. Individuals are now demanding stronger data protection legislation, mandatory local data storage within Indian territory, and severe penalties for businesses that do not protect user privacy. The ongoing case against Krafton India is being followed closely not only by gamers, but also by legal and technology experts. It's being viewed as a litmus test of whether India's legal system can efficiently enforce corporate responsibility in the age of technology, and whether it can actually safeguard the rights of its digital citizens.

What Could Happen Next?

Here are a few possible scenarios depending on how the investigation unfolds:

1. BGMI Gets Temporarily Banned Again

If the court or government finds merit in the case, BGMI could face:

Temporary removal from the Play Store and App Store
Suspension of in-game purchases
Deactivation of Indian servers

2. Krafton India Issues Clarification or Denial

The company may release an official statement denying the allegations or presenting counter-evidence.

3. Settlement or Penalty

If wrongdoing is found, Krafton could settle the matter by paying a fine, or face corporate penalties, data usage restrictions, or revocation of operations license in India.

4. Full-fledged Trial

Should the case go to trial, it could lead to:

Conviction of executives
Revamp of Indian gaming regulations
A judicial precedent for data monetization cases

How to Protect Your Data as a Gamer

Regardless of the case outcome, it’s important for users to take data protection into their own hands:

Tips for Users

Avoid logging into games using Google/Facebook unless necessary
Don’t grant unnecessary app permissions
Use VPNs and firewalls
Regularly check and update privacy settings
Uninstall apps you don’t trust

The FIR against Krafton India is a turning point of huge significance for the dynamics between game developers, gamers, and data protection agencies in India. If established, the ₹2,000-per-user data-sale scandal would become one of the largest corporate privacy invasions in India's digital past.

While users wait for the Bombay High Court hearing on April 15, 2025, everyone's eyes are on Krafton not only to defend its image but also to demonstrate that data privacy is not merely a buzzword but an inherent user right. For live updates on the case and other tech news, follow AndroBranch, your one-stop source for gaming news updates, digital rights, app reviews, and more.

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