Iran Bans Pokémon GO Over Security Concerns

In August 2016, Iran banned Pokémon GO, citing security concerns. The decision was made by the Supreme Council of the Virtual Space, who demanded that the game’s data be hosted within the country and that certain areas be excluded from the map.

Why the Ban?

Pokémon GO’s reliance on geolocation raised concerns for Iranian authorities. The game’s functionality required knowing a player’s location to find Pokémon, visit PokéStops, and battle in gyms. This presented a potential security risk by revealing the locations of military installations, government buildings, and other sensitive areas.

US Response

Just days after the Iranian ban, the Pentagon restricted Pokémon GO use within its facilities, fearing the game’s geolocation could expose sensitive locations. Notably, a gym was even located inside the Pentagon during the game’s initial rollout.

Circumvention Attempts

Despite the ban, Iranian players attempted to circumvent the restrictions using existing tools for bypassing foreign service limitations. However, the game’s location-dependent nature complicated these efforts.

Pokémon GO’s Early Challenges

Pokémon GO’s popularity in 2016 highlighted the potential challenges of location-based gaming, even decades before the game’s release. The game’s success led to concerns about the extent to which it could influence citizens’ movements and expose sensitive locations.