Pokemon privacy concerns are hyped and overblown: report

Mumbai: Over the past few weeks, augmented reality mobile game Pokemon Go has topped charts among all other apps but has received flak for compromising user privacy. However, it seems that the threats are over-hyped as indicated by F-Secure’s Security Advisor Sean Sullivan.

“The robbery stuff is hyped nonsense, allegedly happens once, and the press can’t resist telling the story,” said Sullivan.

Though Niantic is collecting your email address, IP address, and the web page you were using before logging into Pokémon Go, it is the same with most apps, added Sullivan. However, if you don’t want it to face that risk, you can go an change your privacy settings.

Regarding the rumour that Niantec gets full access to a user’s entire Google account, Sullivan said that the makers was never able to read your Gmail and the permissiveness has more to do with Google’s settings than Niantic’s.

“However, to play, you may still want to create a separate Google account that isn’t connected to your Gmail as F-Secure Labs explains below,” said Sullivan.

Acknowledging the fact that criminals are taking advantage of this app’s popularity and Android’s sluggish security standards, he said that the phenomenon is widespread with many other popular Android apps.

Further details

Given the success of the app, people are bound to hear many stories that stoke suspicion both of the app and the players.

Users also likely to see many imitators who will take advantage of how the app has exposed adult’s urges to play games on their phone that actually bring them into public.

And, of course, there will be efforts to monetize this sensation. Players can already buy virtual items to speed their progress, but augmented reality presents unique advertising opportunities.

“The game’s real-world nature also gives Niantic another intriguing moneymaking possibility, by charging fast-food restaurants, coffee shops and other retail establishments to become sponsored locations where people are motivated to go to pick up virtual loot,” the New York Times reports.

These partnerships may spark new concerns about sharing players’ location data with ad partners. But for now, people seem very willing to go out into the world and make themselves known as Pokémon Go players.

While the success of Pokémon Go may be extraordinary, the privacy and security concerns are typical of any well-known app.