One of the leading worldwide searches today on Google for PUBG Mobile is related to a new list of banned apps announced in India. As revealed by the Indian Government, a total of 59 apps developed by Chinese firms are being blocked. However, for now, PUBG Mobile is not banned in India and will remain available to download and play. Tencent is the developer behind the hit Battle Royale shooter, which was created in partnership with PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds IP owner, Bluehole Inc.
The list of apps affected by today’s ban includes TikTok and Clash of Kings, while a statement from the Indian Government explaining its actions reads:
“The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking its power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.
“Over the last few years, India has emerged as a leading innovator when it comes to technological advancements and a primary market in the digital space.
“At the same time, there have been raging concerns on aspects relating to data security and safeguarding the privacy of 130 crore Indians.
“It has been noted recently that such concerns also pose a threat to sovereignty and security of our country.
“The Ministry of Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India.
“There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.
“On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that such Apps pose threat to sovereignty and integrity of India, the Government of India has decided to disallow the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet enabled devices.”
“The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.”
For now, it’s unclear how this blocking announcement will affect apps like TikTok and Clash of Clans and if they will be removed from popular App Store Fronts.
The news comes as Tencent announced its plans to release a new PUBG Mobile update in early July.
PUBG Mobile 0.19.0 is scheduled to be released on July 7, and will include the first-ever PUBG Mobile exclusive Map, Livik.
Livik has been in beta testing for over a week now and will be available to download next month on Android and iOS.
More news relating what other stuff is being planned for the big update will be revealed by Tencent in the coming days.