BGMI Banned in India, Google and Apple removed BGMI from Play Store and App Store
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| Google and Apple removed Battleground Mobile India (BGMI) from Play Store and App Store |
Following a government order, Apple and Google have removed the popular battle royale game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) from their app stores. A Google representative confirmed the news to TOI Tech-Gadgets Now. "Upon receipt of the order, we notified the affected developer and blocked access to the app that remained available on the Play Store in India," Google said in a statement.
While Apple has so far not responded, the game is not available on the App Store in India.
BGMI Banned India
Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), a popular Krafton game with over 100 million users in India, has been removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), a popular Krafton game with over 100 million users in India, has been removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. There is speculation that the game has been banned in India, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Indianexpress.com requested a statement from developer Krafton India. "We are clarifying how BGMI was removed from the Google Play store and the App store and will let you know once we have specific information," the company said.
According to reports, the game was yanked due to a government order. Indianexpress.com has also requested a statement from Google regarding the removal. In July 2021, BGMI was launched. It was released as a replacement for the popular PUBG Mobile game, which was banned by the government along with a number of Chinese apps in September 2020. BGMI was widely perceived as PUBG Mobile for India, despite the company's insistence that the game was unique.
In addition, Krafton's other mobile game in India, titled 'New State,' which follows a similar shooter format, is still available on both iOS and Android. While the game is known as PUBG: New State in other markets, it is simply known as 'New State' in India.
Reason for the removal of BGMI not known yet
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| Battleground Mobile India (BGMI) removed from Play Store |
The reason for the BGMI (Battleground Mobile India) game ban is unknown at this time. So far, the IT ministry has remained silent on the ban. Krafton, the game publisher, has also confirmed the ban and stated that it is in discussions with authorities to obtain clarification.
The removal of BGMI (Battleground Mobile India) comes nearly a year after India banned PUBG, a similar title developed by South Korean developer Krafton. PUBG (Player Unknown Battleground) was banned because of its relationship with Chinese publisher Tencent Games. Krafton severed ties with Tencent Games following the PUBG ban. The company then announced that Tencent Games, based in China, would no longer be authorised to distribute the PUBG MOBILE franchise in India. In September 2020, the government will prohibit the PUBG gaming app, as well as 117 other mobile apps. The apps were deemed harmful to the country's sovereignty, integrity, and defence.
BGMI launched in June 2021
In June 2021, Krafton relaunched the game under the BGMI brand. Since its release, the game has been quite popular in India, ranking among the top ten gaming apps in the country on the Google Play Store. Krafton announced earlier this month that BGMI had reached 100 million registered users in India.
Trouble was brewing for the game maker
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar recently stated that law enforcement agencies are investigating a "media report that a child has killed his mother based on PUBG that he has been playing." "According to media reports, a child killed his mother because he was playing PUBG. The reason for this is being investigated by LEAs (Law Enforcement Agencies). However, MeitY blocked the PUBG gaming app in 2020, and the PUBG game has not been available in India since then "Chandrasekhar responded in writing.
According to the written response, reports and grievances of banned apps reappearing in new avatars with similar-sounding names have been forwarded to the home ministry for investigation.
Earlier this year, PRAHAR, a non-profit organisation working in the field of socioeconomic development, wrote to the ministries of home affairs (MHA) and electronics and information technology (MEITY) requesting a ban on BGMI under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. According to the NGO, the app should be banned because it threatens India's sovereignty and integrity.
According to the letter, Krafton, the South Korean studio that publishes BGMI, is a front company for Tencent Holdings, China's leading internet company. It also claimed that Tencent is Krafton's second-largest shareholder, holding 15.5 percent of the company's stock.
Frequently asked questions about BGMI Ban in India Date 2022
Is BGMI Banned?
Not confirmed yet but it was removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store by Government Order. That's why it is supposed Government will soon announce it.
Why is BGMI banned?
Government hasn't given any statement why they gave the order to Google and Apple to remove BGMI (Battleground Mobile India) from Play Store and App Store.
When BGMI banned in India?
BGMI was banned in India on 28 July 2022. BGMI was removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store on 28th of July.
Why BGMI is not available on Play Store?
BGMI was removed from the Google Play Store on Government's order. Though it hasn't been clear why BGMI was Banned in India or why BGMi was removed from Play Store.
BGMI Ban Reason
There are three reasons behind the BGMI ban in India ;
1. It is claimed that Krafton, South Korean company which publishes BGMI is a shell company or front company for Tencent Holdings, Leading Internet Company of China which holds the 15.5 percent of Krafton Company Stock.
2. There is many news regarding BGMI or Pubg that child's even killed their parents when they told their child's not to play games like Pubg.
3. A non-profit organization named PRAHAR wrote letter to ministries of home affairs (MHA) and electronics and information technology (MEITY) requesting to ban BGMI under Section 69A of Information Technology Act.