After surviving a ban and making a high-profile comeback in India, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is once again in the spotlight—but this time for all the wrong reasons. Krafton India, the game’s publisher, is facing serious legal trouble following allegations of user data misuse.
BGMI, which boasts a massive player base in India, had only recently regained its momentum after regulatory concerns put it on hold. But now, the game’s future might be shaky once again—not due to government policy, but because of an FIR that’s raising major eyebrows in the Indian gaming community.
FIR Alleges User Data Sold on Telegram, Court Hearing Set
On September 5, 2024, a resident from Maharashtra named Santosh Torane filed an FIR at Akluj Police Station. The complaint claims Krafton India violated a service agreement signed on August 2, 2021, and illegally sold user data through Telegram—allegedly for around ₹2,000 per user. Names, IPs, and other personal data were reportedly shared without consent.
Four Krafton officials have been named in the FIR: WooYol Lim, Jitendra Bansal, Yoonal Soni, and Wooyol Shalom. The allegations fall under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and multiple violations of the Information Technology Act (Sections 72, 72A, 85).
Initially, local authorities took no action. However, a magistrate in Malshiras directed the police to launch a full investigation under Section 156(3) of the CrPC. In response, Krafton filed two writ petitions (Nos. 4806 and 5342/2024) in the Bombay High Court, challenging the FIR and requesting a stay on the investigation.
The case is now set for hearing on April 15, 2025, and all interim orders remain active till then. With privacy concerns growing and legal heat mounting, Krafton’s situation in India just got a lot more complicated.
Krafton Responds to Allegations
We reached out to Krafton India for a statement regarding the matter. Here’s what the company had to say:
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, after which we will provide any necessary clarifications.”
Could BGMI face another ban? That’s the burning question—especially after Krafton’s recent efforts to boost Indian esports through tournaments, investments, and community initiatives. For now, the fate of BGMI hangs in the balance.
Stay tuned—this case could redefine data ethics and gaming stability in India.