Belarusian defense ministry official Alexander Ilanov sparked controversy by claiming that popular augmented reality game Pokémon GO was an intelligence tool used by Western agencies. During a TV talk show, Ilanov suggested that the location where most digital monsters could be found during the game’s peak popularity coincided with a military runway.
However, experts have largely debunked this claim. The game has faced issues with scammers and privacy concerns, but its use as an intelligence tool is unfounded. In fact, Niantic, the game’s developer, denied sharing user information, stating it observes local laws wherever players choose to play.
Ilanov’s argument has been met with skepticism, particularly given Belarus’ close ties with Russia. The country remains a part of the “Union State” arrangement, which shares policies with Russia. This has led some to view Ilanov’s claims as a form of Putinesque paranoia about the West and Pokémon GO.
In reality, Pokémon GO is not unique in raising concerns over user locations. Exercise app Strava faced backlash in 2018 when users tracked their activities near secure military facilities, highlighting the need for caution regarding location data.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/12/pokemon_go_spying_belarus_claims/