Country Completely Banned PUBG? Full List & Facts

Yes, a few countries have completely banned PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), meaning the game cannot be legally downloaded, played, or operated within their borders. As of 2025, the most notable complete bans are in India (under the name Battlegrounds Mobile India, or BGMI), Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Jordan, each with its own specific reasons and enforcement status. Below is a detailed look at each country, the reasons behind the bans, and what they mean for players.

Background: Why Would a Country Ban PUBG?

Governments ban games like PUBG for several recurring reasons. The most common is concern over addiction and mental health, particularly among young people. The game is designed to be highly engaging, with short matches and a “one more round” loop that can lead to excessive play. Some governments, notably in South Asia, have cited studies and public complaints linking heavy play to poor academic performance, sleep deprivation, and aggressive behavior.

A second major reason is national security and data privacy. PUBG was developed by PUBG Corporation, a South Korean company, but the game’s publisher and server infrastructure in many regions involves Tencent, a Chinese tech giant. Several governments have expressed concerns that player data could be accessed by Chinese authorities, or that the game could be used to spread propaganda or malware. This was the primary driver behind India’s initial ban.

Finally, some bans are linked to local laws and cultural values. For example, a country may ban a game to comply with a broader ban on online gambling or to restrict content that is deemed violent or morally inappropriate. In some cases, the ban is temporary or was later reversed, so the status can change quickly.

India: The Biggest and Most Complex Ban

India is the most significant country to have completely banned PUBG, and its situation is the most nuanced. In September 2020, the Indian government banned the original PUBG Mobile and PUBG Mobile Lite as part of a broader crackdown on 118 Chinese-origin apps. The official reason cited was security and privacy, with the government stating that the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state, public order.”

The ban was not a simple block; it was a complete removal from app stores and a block on the game’s servers, making it impossible to play through official means. However, the game’s developer, PUBG Corporation, later severed ties with Tencent in India and released a new version called Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) in 2021, specifically designed to address data concerns by storing data locally.

BGMI was initially allowed to operate, but in July 2022, it too was banned by the Indian government, again on security grounds. This ban was lifted in May 2023 for a three-month trial period, but in August 2023, the government extended the ban indefinitely. As of early 2025, BGMI is still banned in India, and there is no clear timeline for its return. The situation is fluid, and the ban is enforced by app store removals and ISP blocks.

Pakistan: A Complete Ban with a Specific Reason

Pakistan banned PUBG in July 2020, but for a different reason than India. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) imposed a complete ban on PUBG after receiving numerous complaints about the game’s addictive nature and its negative impact on children’s mental health. The PTA cited that the game was “wasting time” and causing “psychological issues” among the youth.

The ban was initially temporary, but it was extended indefinitely. Unlike India, the Pakistani ban was not based on data security concerns but on social and moral grounds. The game was removed from local app stores, and ISPs were ordered to block access to the game’s servers. However, some players have reported that the ban is not perfectly enforced, and workarounds exist, but the official status remains a complete ban.

Nepal and Afghanistan: Smaller but Complete Bans

Nepal banned PUBG in April 2019, making it one of the first countries to do so. The Nepal Telecommunications Authority ordered ISPs to block the game, and the government cited concerns over addiction and its impact on students. The ban was a complete block on the game’s servers, and it remains in effect today.

Afghanistan also banned PUBG in 2020, under the then-Islamic Republic government. The ban was announced by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, citing the game’s “negative impacts” and its role in distracting the youth. The Taliban’s takeover in 2021 has not changed the ban; in fact, the Taliban has historically been against such games, so the ban likely remains in force.

Jordan and Other Countries with Restrictions

Jordan is another country that has completely banned PUBG. In 2019, the Jordanian government banned the game due to its violent content and concerns about addiction. The ban was implemented by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, which ordered ISPs to block the game. The ban is still in effect.

Other countries have imposed partial restrictions rather than complete bans. For example, China has its own version of PUBG called Game for Peace, which is heavily censored and does not allow players to die or kill in the traditional sense. In China, the original PUBG is not available, but the game is not “banned” in the sense that it is illegal; rather, it is replaced with a compliant version. Similarly, Indonesia has considered bans but has not implemented a complete one, and some countries like Iraq have temporarily blocked the game during school hours.

How the Bans Are Enforced and What Players Do

When a country imposes a complete ban, it typically does so through a combination of measures:

• App store removal: Google Play and Apple App Store are ordered to remove the app, making it impossible to download legally.
• ISP blocking: Internet service providers are instructed to block the DNS or IP addresses of the game’s servers, preventing the game from connecting.
• Legal penalties: In some countries, individuals caught playing the game can face fines or even jail time, though this is rarely enforced.

Despite these measures, many players circumvent the bans by using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to mask their location and download the game from other countries’ app stores. However, this is often against the law, and the game’s performance can be poor due to high latency. Some players also switch to PC versions, which may not be as strictly blocked. It is important to note that using a VPN to bypass a government ban may be illegal and could carry penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PUBG banned in the USA?

No, PUBG is not banned in the United States. It is freely available for download on mobile and PC. However, the US government has expressed concerns about Chinese-owned apps in general, but PUBG is not currently targeted.

Can I still play PUBG in India if I use a VPN?

Technically, yes, some players do use VPNs to play BGMI or PUBG Mobile in India. However, this is against the government’s ban, and the game may not work well due to server restrictions. Additionally, the government has been known to block VPN services that are used to access banned apps.

Why did India ban PUBG but not other Battle Royale games?

India’s ban was specifically tied to the game’s Chinese ownership and data privacy concerns. Other games like Fortnite or Call of Duty: Mobile do not have the same Chinese ties, so they were not included in the ban. However, it is worth noting that India has also banned several other Chinese apps, including TikTok.

Is PUBG: New State also banned?

PUBG: New State, the sequel to PUBG Mobile, is also banned in countries where PUBG is banned, as it is a related game. In India, it was included in the same ban order. In other countries, the ban may not explicitly list New State, but the same logic applies.

Are there any countries that have reversed a PUBG ban?

Yes, India temporarily lifted the ban on BGMI in 2023 for a trial period, but it was re-imposed. No country has permanently reversed a ban, but some have eased restrictions over time. The situation is dynamic, and it is best to check the current status in your country.

Related

• Convert Play FLAC in iTunes: Full Guide
• Soda Foundation Charter: What It Means
• Convert Table to Text in Word: Step-by-Step Guide