PUBG Developer Krafton Accused of Mishandling BGMI User Data—Faces Court Case

Krafton, the creator behind PUBG and its Indian counterpart BGMI, is under serious scrutiny this week following allegations of a user data breach. The controversy erupted after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by a Maharashtra resident, accusing the gaming company of leaking and selling user information through Telegram.

BGMI Allegedly Involved in User Privacy Breach
Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), a re-engineered version of PUBG Mobile built specifically for Indian users, was developed after the Indian government imposed strict regulations on the original game. However, the new FIR alleges that Krafton failed to uphold data privacy standards and even sold user data at shockingly low rates.

Details from the FIR: Key Executives Named
The FIR submitted in Maharashtra specifically mentions senior Krafton personnel, including WooYol Lim, Jitendra Bansal, Yoonal Soni, and Wooyol Shalom. According to the complaint, the company allegedly sold user data for as little as ₹2,000 per user—without consent or prior notification.

Santosh Torane, the complainant, claims this conduct is a direct violation of Krafton's own service terms. He mentions he has been pursuing this issue for several years without resolution. The legal battle now heads to the Bombay High Court, with the next hearing scheduled for April 15, 2025.

In response to the allegations, Krafton issued a firm denial. “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," the company stated.

Telegram's name has surfaced once again in connection with data distribution controversies. The platform, known for its ability to share large files, has long been under the scanner for enabling piracy and unregulated content distribution. This latest accusation adds another layer to its growing list of legal troubles.

Regulatory Questions Surrounding BGMI Persist
BGMI has frequently been in the spotlight regarding compliance with Indian regulatory norms. These latest allegations may invite tighter scrutiny from authorities, putting Krafton’s India strategy at risk.