Krafton BGMI Ban: What It Means for Indian Gamers and the Future of BGMI

The Indian gaming community is in disarray after Krafton India, the developer of the immensely popular Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is embroiled in a serious legal issue. A First Information Report (FIR) was filed, accusing the gaming company of sharing and selling user data on Telegram (₹2,000 for each player). The charges have drawn widespread outrage from gamers, privacy advocates, and regulatory authorities.

BGMI was previously under scrutiny after PUBG Mobile was banned in 2020, and this situation is a real threat to its hard-earned status. Users are left questioning their data security, uninstalling the title, and demanding more transparency. Krafton has replied, and a court date has been set for April 15, 2025.

FIR on BGMI – What Are the Allegations Against Krafton India?

Krafton India is now under heavy scrutiny after an FIR was lodged at Akluj Police Station in Maharashtra. The complaint, submitted by Santosh Torane, alleges that Krafton breached data protection laws through the sale of confidential BGMI user data via Telegram for ₹2,000 per subscriber. Torane initially raised the matter with local authorities, as well as with the Solapur Superintendent of Police, in 2023. When he received no response to his complaints, he escalated the issue to the judicial magistrate in Malshiras.

After hearing the concerns, the judicial magistrate was satisfied with the approach and directed a proper investigation under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The FIR names four senior Krafton executives (WooYol Lim, Jitendra Bansal, Yoonal Soni, and Wooyol Shalom), and charges are raised under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), IPC Section 420 (cheating), and Sections 72, 72A, and 85 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The sections directly relate to the unauthorized disclosure of data and criminal misuse of personal information. Legal consequences have already begun, as the Bombay High Court is set to consider the matter on April 15, 2025.

BGMI Data Breach – What We Know So Far

At the center of the FIR are alarming allegations that user data from BGMI was not only leaked but was also being sold on encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram. The FIR states that user data, comprised of user IDs, location data, and information about in-game activity, was being sold for amounts exceeding ₹2,000 per user.

With BGMI's reported user base of more than 100 million downloads, this potential breach may involve staggering amounts of data being sold. There are multiple reports from Talesport and TalkEsport that document how the data was shared with others and was made available in private Telegram groups. The massive amount of data involved and the apparent organization around it have sparked discussions about digital rights and consumer protection.

Krafton’s Response to the FIR and Data Breach Claims

Krafton has released a statement denying any accusations made about the supposed user data breach. It stated, "At KRAFTON, the protection of personal data is a top priority for us, and we hold a commitment to the highest standards of data security." Krafton pointed out the issue is sub judice (under judicial consideration), and clarifications will follow in due course of the legal proceedings.

In addition to the statement, Krafton has filed two writ petitions (Nos. 4806 and 5342/2024) before the Bombay High Court that examine the legitimacy of the FIR and seek a stay on the investigation being pursued. Krafton is being represented by the well-known legal firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. They argued the charges were "frivolous" and stated the FIR was registered without following the proper process.

The High Court proceeded to combine the two writ petitions for a joint hearing and imposed interim orders until the next designated hearing on April 15. Until that date, Krafton will remain in a negative light with growing public concern.

Impact on BGMI Users and the Indian Gaming Community

The ongoing data breach controversy is rattling the Indian gaming ecosystem and primarily the immediate community of BGMI fans. In light of the FIR and news outlets covering this story, many users have taken to social media sites, such as Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram, to voice anger and uneasiness. Reactions like “Uninstalling BGMI until this clears up” and “We trusted Krafton after PUBG, not again” reveal the burgeoning sentiment around BGMI as more players have become activated in barely one news cycle. For a game that has fought tooth and nail to return after its 2020 ban, this represents a significant credibility crisis. If the court finds Krafton breached users’ data, then it will ripple down to not just one game but to every foreign gaming operation when it relates to data. For now, the community is anxiously awaiting April 15.