PUBG Update: Tracking all the PUBG updates in the last five months has kept everyone on toes. From the initial ban on PUBG to all the tiny pieces of news that gave us hope. From debunking false APK links to questioning PUBG’s relaunch in India to commenting on whether playing the PUBG Kr version is legal or not, Indian players have waited relentlessly– without an answer.
Timeline on PUBG Updates– Tracking RTIs
This certain RTI filed by Gem Wire, on December 17, 2020, asking whether PUBG Mobile is banned for access in India amongst other questions. The response to which, for every player has been like a sigh of relief as the Ministry confirms that it has not banned the access of PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik App.
This query was followed by a few other questions as well, whose answers have been received as well.
The first query was a follow up to the first question– if the ban implies to the new application on what basis would that be? The Ministry responded by saying that blocking applies to a specific App only.
And the final question that was asked was– Is there an open dialogue taking place between MEITY and PUBG Corporation/Krafton INC. The RTI responded by saying “no formal dialogue with PUBG/Krafton is held by this Ministry.”
Before this an RTI report was filed by a law student– Prasoon Shekhar to debunk if playing the PUBG Kr version was illegal and asked whether people have been persecuted or penalised for playing the Korean version of PUBG.
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The response that he got was “MeitY does not ban any App. However blocking of specified Apps was done under the provisions of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and its Rules namely Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking Access of Information by the Public) Rules, 2009. Section 69A of the Act provides for a penalty to intermediaries for non-compliance of the blocking order. However, no penalty is prescribed for individual users of such Apps”, the Ministry said in its reply.”
Everything stirred because of the first-ever RTI that was filed in the timeline of these five months and said: “MEITY has not given any permission for launch of PUBG.”
The query stated
“In the month of September 2020, the Government of India with the consultation of your Department (MEITY) banned various Chinese apps. One of which was Pubg Mobile Game. Now, there are many news which says that the game is being relaunched and the same is made specifically for the Indian Public and will not be harmful to the nation and its citizens. I would like to know if your department has given any such permission to the game so that it can be re-launched. “
– RTI filed on: 30/11/20
MEITY has responded stating:
“MEITY has not given any permission for launch of PUBG”
What is the current scenario?
For now, players playing PUBG Kr will not be penalised, but this is subject to change in the future since no talks between PUBG Corporation and the Indian government. However, that is for an uncertain, unforeseeable future. All we can do as players who wait patiently is not fall for rumours and seek actual news. Falling prey to false APK links could in fact jeopardise your security.
