According to The Washington Times, a source has revealed that the Defense Department has banned Pokemon GO within The Pentagon.
In a memo sent out in July, security personnel warned officials and defense contractors not to use the app while within Defense Department facilities. Security officials warned that given that Pokemon GO utilized GPS tracking, there were concerns that the application could lead to foreign spying. These concerns also cover possible access to government secrets, spying recruitment, and cyber attacks.
This isn't the first time that Pokemon GO has found itself questioned over possible security breaches. In Iran, the High Council of Virtual Spaces also issued a ban on the game, over undisclosed security concerns in which they're attempting to negotiate over with Niantic. The app has also found itself under severe scrutiny from Egyptian Islamic Clerics for being distracting and serving as "anti-Islamic" propaganda.
In Indonesia, police have been ordered not to play Pokemon GO while on duty, with military personnel expected to be banned later as well. According to National Police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar, this ban was to ensure that officers didn't become "addicted" to the app and were able to concentrate in their line of work. This announcement came shortly after a Frenchman accidentally stumbled into a military base while playing the app.
Pokemon GO is currently available on iOS and Android smartphone devices. For more info, be sure to take a gander at our full review for Pokemon GO, and our beginners guide.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it's a little silly that government officials are having to tell their staff not play video games at work? What are your thoughts on Pokemon GO posing as a potential security risk? Do you think governments and organizations are overreacting? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
