Yes, the article is all about the PUBG game ban in India. This could be sad news for millions of game players in India. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) was banned in India very recently. Notably, PUBG is by far one of the most popular mobile games in the country and it claims more than 175 million downloads.
PHBG Game Ban in India
For those of you who are oblivion of PUBG, here is a brief intro. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) is a Chinese online multiplayer game. You will take part in a battle royale gameplay.
You can play it as a single-player or join a team of up to four players and fight your way through the map. This is another glorified shooter game where you can become a champion and conquer the battlefield!
When PUBG Game Got Banned in India?
On 2nd September 2020, Indian ministry of electronics and information technology decided to ban 118 Chinese apps including PUBG. The reasons stated by the government are sovereign integrity, public order and defence of India.
Among the apps that have been banned today include Baidu, WeChat Work, Tencent Weiyun, Rise of Kingdoms, APUS Launcher, Tencent Weiyun, VPN for TikTok, Mobile Taobao, Youko, Sina News, CamCard, as well as a miniature version of PUBG. (For the full list click here.)
The ministry has got several complaints about the misuse of apps from both android and iOS platforms. The complaints are generally regarding the alleged theft and stealing of data. These could involve transmitting user’s information to servers possibly located outside India.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, banned 59 other mobile applications, mostly Chinese, in June. These consist of some of the famous apps such as TikTok, Alibaba’s UC Browser, and WeChat. Again the government cited national security concern as a justification of this ban.
PUBG in Pakistan
The neighboring country of India – Pakistan also banned the PUBG game. But the reason for the ban was on different grounds that are completely different from India.
Pakistani government declared the game ‘highly addictive’ and a ‘wastage of time’. Thus, the game poses a negative impact on people’s physical and psychological health.
There have been suicide cases reported by media which can have potential linkage to the PUBG game. The suspension in Pakistan seems to be temporary but the authorities have not yet lifted the ban.
Is this ban linked to China-India strained relationships?
The move of the ministry came a day after the Indian government accused Chinese troops of provocative action again in the South Bank of Ladakh’s Pangong Lake. Chinese troops had made a similar attempt on August 31.
The tension between India and China escalated when 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in a military clash in the Himalayas in June. These tensions have also resulted in reaction from public in India.Â
“Boycott China” trends with it many variations has been trending on Twitter in India since then. People posted videos demonstrating destruction of Chinese-made smartphones, TVs and other products.
In April, the government announced a change in foreign investment. This change made Chinese investors obliged to take approval from New Delhi for investing. The move has significantly reduced Chinese investors’ presence in Indian startups’ deal flows in the months since.
Yes, the banning of these apps may be another act in this regard.
Are there any alternatives for PUBG game?
Yes, gamers need not to worry. Some of the alternatives are Call of Duty: Mobile, Fortnite, Battlelands Royale, Rampage by Garena Free Fire, Black Survival. On both android and iOS, you can play all of these these games.
Till any decision by government to lift the ban, enjoy any of the above five games. Please tell us through comments what do you feel about PUBG game ban in India.