Why is Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) Banned in the US? Understanding the Ban

On January 19, 2025, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), a widely popular mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Moonton, became inaccessible to players in the United States. 

This unexpected suspension is intricately linked to broader national security measures targeting ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of Moonton and the owner of the social media platform TikTok.

Why is Mobile Legends Banned in the US? TikTok's National Security Concerns

The U.S. government's apprehensions regarding TikTok's data privacy practices and potential national security threats culminated in a nationwide ban of the app. 

On January 18, 2025, TikTok ceased its services in the U.S., removing the app from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Users attempting to access the platform were met with notifications indicating the service's unavailability in the country. 

Ripple Effects on ByteDance's Subsidiaries

The prohibition of TikTok had unintended consequences for other applications under the ByteDance umbrella. Notably, games such as Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang experienced disruptions. 

Marvel Snap, developed by Second Dinner and published by Nuverse—a ByteDance subsidiary—was unexpectedly removed from app stores, rendering it inaccessible to U.S. players. Second Dinner expressed surprise at this development, clarifying that the removal was due to its association with ByteDance. 

Moonton's Official Statement on MLBB

In response to the situation, Moonton announced the temporary suspension of MLBB services in the U.S. starting January 19, 2025. The company stated:

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is currently unavailable to players in the US. We deeply value our vibrant player community and are actively exploring possibilities to bring the game back in the future. In the meantime, you can continue to manage your account and download your game data on our official website. Thank you for being part of our community, and we hope to see you again soon." 

Along with this, the popular game Marvel Snap has also issued an official statement saying that this game is currently not available in the country.

Community Reaction and Future Prospects

The abrupt suspension of MLBB in the U.S. has elicited a range of reactions from the gaming community. 

Players have taken to social media platforms to express their disappointment and seek clarity on the situation. 

Some have shared their experiences of being unable to access the game, while others have inquired about potential timelines for the game's return.

Moonton's assurance that they are "actively exploring possibilities to bring the game back in the future" offers a glimmer of hope to dedicated players. 

However, the timeline for such a return remains uncertain, contingent upon the broader geopolitical landscape and the resolution of national security concerns associated with ByteDance.

Conclusion

The suspension of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in the United States underscores the far-reaching implications of national security policies on digital platforms and applications. 

While the primary target of U.S. government actions was TikTok, the interconnected nature of ByteDance's subsidiaries led to a cascading effect, impacting games like MLBB. 

As the situation evolves, players and stakeholders alike await further developments, hopeful for a resolution that balances security considerations with the interests of the gaming community.