Confederation of All India Traders has made a request to Government to not to allow Prelaunch of Banned PUBG Mobile, which company is trying to launch under new name ‘Battlegrounds Mobile India’. Despite being marketed as an Indian game, made only for Indian users, the data will be transferred to Singapore and other regions and that non-Indian law will be applicable to the users as governing law. The app will also hate multiple features from the banned versions. AS per CAIT the APP can be a a threat to India’s national security and should not be not allowed in India through usage of any means.
‘Vyaipar Bhawan’
925, Naiwala, karol Bagh, New Delhi- 110005.
Phone: +91-11-45032664, Telefax: +91-11-45032665
E-mail: trancait@gmail.com Webside: www.cait.in
Ref No.: 3238/1/50
18th June, 2021
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad
Hon’ ble Minister for IT & Communication
Government of India
New Delhi
Dear Shri Ravi Shankarji,
Subject Representation against the Prelaunch of Banned PUBG Mobile as Battlegrounds Mobile India on your Platform
We recollect that in 2020, In the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, defence and security of India and based on inputs from multiple sources the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity’) banned over 250 foreign apps and websites under section 69a of the Information Technology Act.
Among the apps that were banned was PUBG Mobile. PUBG Mobile and its version were banned as they were engaging in activities that were found to be prejudicial to India’s national security. There have also been numerous reports of addiction, loss of money and livelihood etc. attributed to this game.
However, according to recent media reports and statements by the Krafton (Krafton)- Krafton Its second biggest shareholder Tencent and related companies are trying to circumvent the Indian Laws and relaunch the game under the new title of Battle grounds Mobile India which will be a deception and deceiving of Indian citizens and the government. It is learnt that Google Play Store Platform is being used for the relaunch of this banned game.
We are of the considered opinion that as a responsible platform Google should not allow its platform for apps that endanger India’s national security and data privacy of millions of Its citizens.
It is noteworthy to mention that various Public Representatives from across India and millions of concerned citizens have already pointed out the dangers of the relaunch of the game and have asked for strict action against these companies for trying to side-step these laws. Subsequent to the public call for bans, these people were targeted with vile language, given death threats and faced racism by Chinese sponsored trolls and bots on behalf of these companies. These trolls also questioned the territorial integrity of India and stated that Arunachal Pradesh is a past of India. We want to initiate that we will never allow anyone to question our territorial integrity and that Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will always be an integral part of India.
We request your good self to please immediately take cognisance of this grave issue and take necessary action to ensure that Google, going forward, does not allow and help these mischievous and dangerous companies in circumventing and disregarding the India law and legal process and questions India’s territorial integrity According to reports, in the past also these companies have tried to relaunch the game with other India companies like Reliance Jio , Airtel and Paytm. However all these companies kept the country’s interest paramount and rebuffed Krafton and we hope Google wall do the same.
We have been informed that despite being marketed as an Indian game, made only for Indian users, the data will be transferred to Singapore and other regions and that non-Indian law will be applicable to the users as governing law. The app will also hate multiple features from the banned versions.
Moreover, the app package for this game on play store has pubg. imobile for pre-registration. We are really dismayed that you will allow a banned app to be available and allow the name of banned app on your reputed platform.
On behalf millions of India, we request you to not be a complicit in this disregard of Indian law and be a threat to India’s national security and not allow such illegal activities through usage of any means.
We are sure that it will receive your kind and immediate attention.
Thank You. With kind regards
Truly Yours
Praveen Khandelwal
National Secretary General
Confederation of All India Traders
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