Krafton India Faces Serious Allegations: FIR Claims BGMI Developer Sold User Data on Telegram

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Krafton India Faces Serious Allegations: FIR Claims BGMI Developer Sold User Data on Telegram



BGMI 3.7

HIGHLIGHTS

FIR accuses Krafton of selling user data for ₹2,000 per subscriber via Telegram.

Four Krafton executives have been named under IPC and IT Act charges.

Krafton denies all allegations and has filed writ petitions in the Bombay High Court.

Krafton, the company responsible for the highly popular Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), finds itself in a precarious legal situation due to serious allegations regarding privacy breaches and the illegal monetization of user data. These charges arose when a resident of Maharashtra, named Santosh Torane, submitted a First Information Report (FIR) claiming that the gaming firm engaged in activities that violated confidentiality agreements and sold user data through Telegram.

The legal proceedings are set to unfold in the Bombay High Court next week, with an investigation into the claims already in progress. Reports suggest that the FIR was officially lodged on September 5, 2024, at the Akluj Police Station. The complaint specifically identifies four Krafton executives: WooYol Lim, Jitendra Bansal, Yoonal Soni, and Wooyol Shalom. The FIR alleges that the company breached a legally binding service agreement, which was signed on August 2, 2021, and claims that user data was sold for approximately ₹2,000 each via unauthorized channels, notably Telegram, thereby infringing on user privacy rights.

The allegations have led to charges being filed that span various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including criminal conspiracy under Section 120B, cheating under Section 420, and violations of key provisions of the Information Technology Act of 2000, specifically Sections 72, 72A, and 85.

Torane further alleges that after making multiple complaints to local law enforcement and the Solapur Superintendent of Police late in 2023, no meaningful action was taken to address his concerns. Frustrated by the lack of progress, he decided to escalate the matter through judicial channels. On August 28, 2024, a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Malshiras mandated the police to undertake a comprehensive investigation in accordance with Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and the need for an urgent investigation.

The Judicial Magistrate categorized the accusations as “grave concerns” requiring immediate attention and confirmed the need for a formal inquiry into the matter.

Krafton’s Official Statement:

In response to the claims, Krafton issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the protection of personal data, stating, “At KRAFTON, safeguarding personal data is our top priority, and we strive to adhere to the highest data security standards. Given that this matter is currently before the court, we believe it is prudent to allow the legal proceedings to unfold before making further comments or clarifications.”

The High Court, which includes Justices Sarang V. Kotwal and Dr. Neela Gokhale, has communicated with the involved parties regarding the petitions. These petitions have been merged for the upcoming hearings. While the legal process continues, all interim orders established are to remain in effect until the next court date, which has been scheduled for April 15, 2025.

As the situation develops, it raises questions about user privacy in the gaming industry and the adequacy of existing regulations to protect consumers from potential data breaches and malpractices. The outcome of this case could have significant implications not only for Krafton but also for other entities in the gaming sector, as user trust and privacy remain paramount in today’s digital landscape.

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