Krafton India, the developer behind the wildly popular battle royale game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is at the center of a legal storm following accusations of selling user data. An FIR (First Information Report) filed against the company claims that Krafton violated privacy agreements by allegedly selling sensitive BGMI user information for ₹2,000 per subscriber.
The Krafton lawsuit in India has sparked widespread concern among the gaming community, with a crucial Bombay High Court hearing scheduled for Apr. 15. Santosh Torane, a resident of Maharashtra, lodged an FIR against Krafton India on September 5, 2024, at Akluj Police Station. According to the lawsuit, the company is accused of breaching a confidentiality agreement signed in 2021 by leaking and selling BGMI user data to third parties, reportedly via Telegram.
The allegations suggest a massive privacy breach affecting millions of players, given that BGMI has surpassed 200 million downloads in India. Torane’s complaint names four Krafton executives—WooYol Lim, Jitendra Bansal, Yoonal Soni, and Wooyol Shalom—claiming they orchestrated the illegal sale. The FIR invokes serious charges under the Indian Penal Code, including Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 420 (cheating), alongside violations of the Information Technology Act.
What Did Krafton Say?
Krafton India has denied the accusations, brushing it off as baseless. In an official statement, the company emphasized its commitment to data security: “At KRAFTON, the protection of personal data is of utmost importance to us, and we are committed to upholding the highest standards of data security. As the matter is currently sub judice, we believe it is best to wait for the legal process to conclude.”
In a bid to quash the FIR, Krafton has filed two writ petitions (Nos. 4806 and 5342/2024) with the Bombay High Court. The outcome of the April 15 hearing could have far-reaching implications for the company’s operations in India, a key market for the BGMI maker.
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Why This Means for BGMI Players?
Battlegrounds Mobile India, a localized version of PUBG tailored for Indian gamers, has been a cultural phenomenon since its launch following the PUBG ban in 2020. However, this isn’t the first time Krafton has faced scrutiny in India. The original PUBG ban stemmed from data security fears, and these latest allegations could reignite concerns about user privacy, potentially threatening BGMI’s future in the country.
With India’s gaming industry booming—boasting over 590 million gamers—the stakes are high. Players are now left wondering whether their personal information, including in-game activity and linked account details, has been compromised in this alleged BGMI user data scandal.
The Krafton lawsuit in India underscores broader issues of data privacy in the digital age, particularly within the gaming sector. As the Bombay High Court prepares to hear the case, presided over by Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Dr. Neela Gokhale, the gaming community and industry watchers alike await a verdict that could set a precedent for how user data is handled by gaming companies in India.
For now, Krafton remains defiant, banking on the legal process to clear its name. Meanwhile, BGMI players are urged to stay vigilant as this unfolding legal drama could reshape trust in one of India’s most beloved mobile games.
