Krafton Denies Data Breach Claims in India, Says Allegations Are "Groundless"

South Korean gaming company Krafton has firmly rejected accusations of data breaches and selling user information in India, stating that its internal investigation found no evidence to support these claims.

The denial comes as the company faces legal challenges in Maharashtra, India, where a user of its popular game Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) filed a police complaint in September. This complaint targets Krafton's Indian subsidiary and several executives.

The user claims the company violated their user agreement by allegedly selling players' personal information on Telegram for approximately 2,000 rupees ($23) per user. The Bombay High Court was scheduled to hear the case later the same day.

In a statement to Yonhap News Agency, Krafton's headquarters in South Korea emphasized that they have thoroughly investigated the situation.

"We have reviewed the case thoroughly and confirmed that the allegations of data leakage and monetization are groundless," a company spokesperson explained.

The gaming publisher also pointed out that this isn't the first time these concerns have been raised. The same individual brought up identical allegations in 2023, which Krafton says were addressed and proven unfounded at that time.

"The same individual filed a new complaint in 2024 with the same claims," the company stated.

In response to these legal challenges, Krafton India has submitted two writ petitions to the Bombay High Court. In the Indian legal system, a writ petition is a formal request challenging the legality of law enforcement actions or legal procedures.

The accusations come at a time when Krafton has been significantly expanding its presence in India's growing gaming market. As of November 2024, the company has invested more than $170 million in the country, including a recent $14 million acquisition of a controlling stake in Nautilus Mobile, the Pune-based studio known for developing the "Real Cricket" franchise.

The company has also shown commitment to developing local talent through its India Gaming Incubator initiative (KIGI) launched in 2023. This program provides mentorship and financial grants of up to $150,000 to promising game developers in the region.