Krafton in Hot Water: BGMI Maker Accused of Selling User Data for ₹2,000 via Telegram, Court Hearing on April 15
Key Highlights:
In a shocking turn of events, Krafton, the South Korean gaming giant behind PUBG and BGMI, has been accused of leaking and selling Indian users’ personal data on the Telegram app. The controversy erupted after a Maharashtra-based man filed an FIR, claiming that user data was sold for as little as ₹2,000 per person without consent.
The matter is now under the Bombay High Court’s jurisdiction, with a hearing scheduled for April 15, 2025.
Who Filed the Complaint and What Are the Allegations?
The complaint was filed by Santosh Torane, who alleges that Krafton executives were directly involved in illegally selling personal data of Indian gamers using BGMI. Named in the FIR are top Krafton representatives:
- WooYol Lim
- Jitendra Bansal
- Yoonal Soni
- Wooyol Shalom
Torane claims this is not the first time he has raised red flags. His previous complaints were reportedly ignored, forcing him to escalate the matter through the legal system.
How Telegram Is Involved in the Krafton Data Leak
The data, according to the FIR, was allegedly sold through Telegram, a messaging app increasingly known for its role in digital piracy and illicit file-sharing. Its encrypted large file transfer features have raised global concerns in recent years.
This incident is the latest in a series of data privacy concerns surrounding the app, which has also faced scrutiny from Indian regulators.
Krafton’s Official Response to the Data Leak Allegations
Krafton, which has faced regulatory heat before, especially when PUBG was banned in India, has strongly denied the allegations. In an official statement, the company said:
“At KRAFTON, the protection of personal data is of utmost importance to us. Since the case is in court, we’ll wait for the legal process to finish before saying more.“
However, this hasn’t stopped criticism from pouring in, especially given Krafton’s prior commitment to following Indian laws and data privacy standards with the launch of BGMI — a rebranded version of PUBG Mobile designed specifically for India.
What This Means for You
If you’re one of the millions of BGMI players in India, this case should raise alarm bells about how your personal data is handled. From mobile numbers to device IDs, game apps often collect sensitive data — and this case puts a spotlight on what happens when that data is allegedly mishandled.
For gamers, developers, and regulators alike, this could reset the conversation around digital trust and accountability in the gaming industry.
How to Take Action
- Reassess app permissions granted to games like BGMI
- Use two-factor authentication wherever possible
- Keep personal data private in chatrooms or forums
- Report suspicious activity to CERT-In or local cyber crime units
- Monitor updates from the Bombay High Court post April 15
Who Will Be Affected
- Krafton: Facing legal and brand reputation challenges
- BGMI players: Potential victims of a major data breach
- Gaming regulators and ministries: Pressured to review data policies
- Telegram: Under renewed scrutiny for its role in privacy violations
- Gaming industry at large: Set to face more regulation and trust checks
Krafton Data Leak 2025 Puts Spotlight on Gaming Privacy Violations
As the Krafton data leak case heads to court, serious questions are being raised about data ethics in the gaming world. With allegations of selling user information without consent, Krafton is facing its biggest privacy crisis yet in India.
Whether or not these charges hold up in court, one thing is clear — data privacy is no longer optional in the digital entertainment age.
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