Garena Free Fire is by a Singapore company, so why it has been banned along with Chinese apps

Google has already removed the Garena Free Fire app from Play Store to comply with the government's orders.

The Indian government has again banned one of the most popular battle royale games along with 53 Chinese apps, citing that these apps pose a threat to India's security and privacy. Following this, Google has removed the Garena Free Fire app from Play Store to comply with the government's orders.

Interestingly, the government hasn’t banned the second version of the game, which is Garena Free Fire Max. This one is still available for download on Google Play Store. Free Fire gained massive popularity when two versions of PUBG were banned in India back in September 2020.

In a statement, the government has mentioned that the newly banned Chinese apps “allegedly obtain various critical permissions and collect sensitive user data. These collected real-time data are being misused and transmitted to servers located in hostile country."

The government also reported that some of the banned apps can carry out Espionage and Surveillance activities via camera/ mic, accessing fine location (GPS) and do malicious network activity similar to previously blocked apps. "The apps were allegedly engaged in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the country also posing serious threat to Security of the State and defense of India," the government said.

Garena, who is the developer and publisher of Free Fire, is a Singapore-based company, which raises questions of why this app has been banned, as it is not Chinese.

We do not have clarity right now because the Indian government hasn't officially issued a statement. But, the reason behind the ban could be its links to China. You might argue that Garena is a Singapore-based company. Yes, you are right. But, Tencent, a Chinese conglomerate, reportedly has around an 18.7 per cent stake in Garena.

PUBG was also banned because of Chinese company Tencent's involvement, and concerns about privacy and security resulted in a ban. Later, Krafton, a subsidiary of PUBG Corporation, re-launched the game in India with cosmetic changes.