Free Fire India Ban: Singapore Said to Flag Concern Over Ban on Sea's Game
Singapore has raised concerns with India about its ban of popular gaming app Free Fire, owned by technology group Sea, in the first sign of diplomatic intervention after the move spooked investors, four sources told Reuters.
After the ban, the market value of the New York-listed Southeast Asian firm dropped by $16 billion (roughly Rs. 1,21,210 crore) in a single day, and investors worry India could extend it to Sea's e-commerce app, Shopee, which recently launched in the country.
The sources, who include two Indian government officials, said Singapore had asked Indian authorities why the app had been targeted in a widening crackdown on Chinese apps, even though Sea has its headquarters in the wealthy city state.
Singapore had queried if the app "was banned unintenationally," said one of the Indian officials aware of the diplomatic initiative.
The concerns, raised with India's external affairs ministry, were routed to the information technology (IT) department which ordered the ban, the two Indian sources said.
The sources, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the discussions, said they did not know how, and if, the Indian government planned to reply to Singapore's concerns.
Spokespersons for the Singapore government and Sea did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. India's IT department, its external affairs ministry and the office of the main government spokesperson also did not respond.
India blocked Free Fire this month among a group of 54 apps it believes were sending user data to servers in China, government sources told Reuters.
China responded by expressing serious concern and saying it hoped India would treat all foreign investors in a non-discriminatory manner.
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