Team GNI
Bombay High Court to Hear Case on April 15 Amid Growing Privacy Concerns
MUMBAI — Krafton India, the publisher behind the wildly popular mobile game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), finds itself in legal crosshairs following a First Information Report (FIR) accusing the company of unlawfully sharing and monetizing user data. Filed on September 5, 2024, at Akluj Police Station in Maharashtra, the complaint alleges serious breaches of data privacy and contract agreements, sparking widespread concern among BGMI’s estimated 100 million-plus Indian players. With a hearing scheduled for April 15, 2025, in the Bombay High Court, the case could set a precedent for digital privacy in India’s booming gaming industry.
The FIR, lodged by Maharashtra resident Santosh Torane, claims Krafton India violated a 2021 service agreement by leaking confidential user data to third parties, allegedly selling it for ₹2,000 per subscriber through platforms like Telegram. Named in the complaint are four senior executives: WooYol Lim, Jitendra Bansal, Yoonal Soni, and Wooyol Shalom. The charges are severe, invoking sections of the Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy (120-B) and cheating (420), alongside violations of the Information Technology Act, 2000, including Sections 72, 72A, and 85, which address unauthorized data disclosure and corporate liability. “This is about trust,” said Torane in a statement to local media. “If a company like Krafton can’t protect our data, who can?”
Krafton India has vehemently denied the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy. “At Krafton, the protection of personal data is of utmost importance to us,” the company stated. “As the matter is currently sub judice, we believe it is best to wait for the legal process to conclude.” In response, Krafton has filed two writ petitions (Nos. 4806 and 5342/2024) in the Bombay High Court, seeking to quash the FIR and halt the investigation. Represented by senior advocates from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., the company argues the accusations lack merit and questions the FIR’s procedural validity. Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Dr. Neela Gokhale have merged the petitions, issuing notices to respondents and extending interim orders until the April hearing.
The case has sent ripples through India’s gaming community, with #BGMIPrivacy trending on X as players voice fears about data security. “I’ve spent years building my BGMI account,” said Priya Menon, a 21-year-old gamer from Bengaluru. “The idea that my info could be sold is unsettling.” Industry analysts note the timing is precarious for Krafton, which has invested heavily in India’s esports scene since BGMI’s 2021 launch, following the ban of its predecessor, PUBG Mobile, over similar privacy concerns. With over 100 million Android downloads alone, BGMI’s user base represents a massive data pool, amplifying the stakes.
The allegations tap into broader anxieties about digital privacy in India, where data protection laws are still evolving. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, sets stringent guidelines, but enforcement remains inconsistent. “This case could force gaming companies to rethink how they handle user information,” said Dr. Anjali Sharma, a cyberlaw expert at Mumbai University. “Transparency will be key to rebuilding trust.” While some speculate about a potential BGMI ban, experts like Sharma believe it’s unlikely unless evidence of systemic breaches emerges.
As the April 15 hearing looms, all eyes are on the Bombay High Court to determine whether Krafton’s practices hold up under scrutiny or if India’s gaming giant faces a reckoning. For now, players continue to drop into BGMI’s virtual battlegrounds, but the real battle for privacy is unfolding in the courtroom.
Source: Akluj Police Station FIR No. 0474/2024, Krafton India Press Statement, Bombay High Court Filings, Interview with Dr. Anjali Sharma, India Today Gaming Desk
