The Government of India has, as of September 2, banned PUBG Mobile on both iOS and Android platforms. Although the game is still accessible and available for download in the digital storefronts, it soon might be taken down after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology enforces the ban. The PUBG Mobile Lite version also did not escape the ban hammer! The ban has been levied under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act that says “they are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order“.
The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.
On June 29 this year, India had banned 59 Chinese apps along with the short-form mobile video platform Tiktok. This internet crackdown comes after mounting tension between the two countries near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the South Bank Area of Pangong Lake. The situation at the LAC is still tense, with fears of escalation as the standoff continues.
PUBG Mobile enjoys a huge player base in India with over 33 million active players, and streamers and content creators like MortaL, sc0ut, Dynamo, CarryMinati, and Tanmay Bhat owe their meteoric rise to the game and its fan following. Many upcoming esports tournaments will also have to rethink their strategy regarding the game. It remains to be seen how this particularly vocal community reacts to this ban.
Check out the full list of the blocked apps from ANI’s tweet:
Government blocks 118 mobile apps which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, Defence of India, Security of State and Public Order: Govt of India
PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik, PUBG MOBILE LITE, WeChat Work & WeChat reading are among the banned mobile apps. pic.twitter.com/VWrg3WUnO8
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2020
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