PUBG Mobile has updated their privacy policy for Indian users following a situation where the app came under scrutiny for violating privacy of users and threatening national security. A report on Economic Times uncovered the fact that India are looking at a new list of 275 Chinese apps which could potentially end up being banned. This was preceded by an actual ban on 59 apps in June, where India cited "The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it’s 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 the 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".
Users who opened the game today on July 29 were greeted with a message saying there were changes to the privacy policy for Indian players. However, the official document shows that the last made change was on July 22. The policy has a section on cases where a user's private data can be shared or used. This includes 4 specific cases:
Only where necessary will we share your personal information with third parties. Situations where this occur are:
- Third parties that provide services in support of the Game Services, including providers of cloud services that process or back up information identified in this privacy policy on their servers for the purpose of providing the Game Services (including the sharing of in-game photos on WeChat, Facebook, VKontakte, QQ, Twitter, Google Play, Game Center or LINE (as applicable)), for the purpose of processing customer support ticket IDs and support communication, for the purpose of providing marketing and advertisements and monitor the success of our marketing and advertising programs, for the purpose of providing you with updates and information regarding the Game Services, for the purpose of arranging e-sports events, and payment processing services (including security and fraud detection). All companies providing services for us are prohibited from retaining, using, or disclosing your personal information for any purpose other than providing us with their services in support of the Game Services.
- Companies within the Tencent corporate group who process your personal information in order to operate the Game Services. All related group companies may only use your personal information in accordance with this privacy policy.
- Regulators and judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies. There are circumstances in which we are legally required to disclose information, including to comply with a legal obligation or processes, enforce our terms, address issues relating to security or fraud, or protect our users.
- A third party that acquires all or substantially all of us or our business. If we sell or buy any business, undergo a merger, enter into a partnership, or sell some or all of our assets we may disclose your information to the prospective buyer of such business. Under these circumstances, we will always require the prospective buyer to comply with this privacy policy.
One concern that India, America and even countries in Europe have had is a law that requires Chinese companies to share data with their government irrespective of where the data was obtained from. While the policy makes no mention of data being shared with the Chinese authorities, concerns will still remain in India as the anti-China sentiment grows stronger. Whether this move will be enough to keep the game away from controversy or not, only time will tell.
