BGMI Ban: What is Section 69A of the IT Act? Understanding why BGMI was banned in India, CHECK DETAILS

BGMI Ban- 69A of IT Act: Battlegrounds Mobile India commonly known as BGMI, was banned in India on 28th July 2022. Fans initially thought that it was a technical glitch on the Google Play Store and App Store. The game has been pulled from App Stores following the ban by the Indian government under Section 69A of the IT Act. Here is detailed information about Section 69A of the IT Act that was cited at the time of the BGMI ban. For future updates on Battlegrounds Mobile India Ban (BGMI Ban), follow InsideSport.IN.

Battlegrounds Mobile India is commonly known as BGMI (Image via Krafton)

A report by Reuters suggested that the Indian Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) issued the order to ban Battlegrounds Mobile India under Section 69 (A) of the IT Act, 2000. Following the order, Google Play Store and App Store have taken down BGMI from their platforms.

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What is Section 69A of the IT Act?

Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000 provides the power to issue directions/orders for blocking public access to any information through any computer resource. A sub-section of the same reads:

1. Where the Central Government or any of its officers specially authorized by it on this behalf is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offense relating to above, it may subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order, direct any agency of the Government or intermediary to block for access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.
2. The procedure and safeguards subject to which such blocking for access by the public may be carried out shall be such as may be prescribed.
3. The intermediary who fails to comply with the direction issued under sub-section (1) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine.

Why BGMI was banned in India?