Free Fire, one of the most popular mobile battle royale titles worldwide, could become a bit less popular — courtesy of a ban on the game in Indonesia. That’s right, Indonesia’s minister of tourism and creative economy, Sandiaga Uno, has threatened to ban the game because of its “negative effects” on children.
Image Credits: Garena
Sandiago Uno says wouldn’t hesitate to ban Free Fire in Indonesia
In a video posted on Uno’s Instagram, the minister cited complaints from the LPAI and the KPAI, both Indonesian bodies engaged in child protection, where the game apparently caused “child violence.”
“This decisive action is important to prevent the massive existence of games that are recently considered to be triggering adverse effects on underage children,” (translated from Bahasa Indonesia) the minister wrote in an Instagram post.
According to a report by Dunia Games, the minister is currently reviewing the game with the KPAI. Following this, he will be coordinating with the Ministry of Communication and Information to analyze what action to take.
It’s unclear what the LPAI and KPAI are citing as sources for child violence caused by the game.
Indonesia is a major market for mobile games, particularly the likes of Free Fire, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and PUBG Mobile. However, Free Fire can appeal to a younger audience more due to its low system requirements and arcade-ish graphics, which is why the game might be the primary subject of the minister’s comments.
This isn’t the first time a country’s government has threatened to ban or outright restrict a game due to concerns of addiction or violence. In fact, PUBG Mobile has been banned in several countries because of the game.
Free Fire has been banned in India
Free Fire has been banned in one other country, and that is India. However, the Indian government reportedly banned the game for data privacy concerns. Garena is set to re-release the game in India, though, through a separate version with localized servers called Free Fire India.
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