Belarus claims that this popular AR game that broke record worldwide in 2016-17 was a ‘CIA tool’

A Belarusian defence ministry official has claimed that Western intelligence agencies used the augmented reality game Pokemon Go as a tool for spying. According to a report by Belarus publication CTB (seen by The Register), Alexander Ivanov, the head of the ideological work department at Belarus's defence ministry, made these claims when he was asked about potential targets for spies at a local TV talk show.

During the interview, Ivanov allegedly suggested that during Pokemon Go's peak popularity, many of the digital creatures were located on a military runway, although they were also found in numerous other locations worldwide. This is not the first time the AR-based game was alleged to be an intelligence tool. Apart from this, Pokemon Go has also faced issues like scams and privacy concerns.

Pokemon Go spying tool allegations

In 2016, after Pokemon Go was launched, a report by The New York Times claimed that Russia had labelled the game as a tool of the US-based intelligence agency, CIA. Other countries like Indonesia, Kuwait, and Egypt also weren’t happy with the game which even remains officially banned in China. However, some players in China risk the ban to access the game, the report adds.

Apart from Pokemon Go, the exercise app Strava was also accused of creating risks regarding user locations. In 2018, the app caused a stir when some users used it to track their activities near secure military facilities.

What Pokemon Go developer Niantic said

The report noted that Pokemon Go developer Niantic emphasised that it adheres to local laws wherever Pokemon hunters choose to use the Poke-sphere. The gaming studio also denied allegations about sharing user data and claimed that no one can see the progress of other players.

Despite these assurances, military authorities in multiple countries have cautioned service members about potential risks. The game's reliance on location data can expose sensitive information, which can potentially compromise national security.