F-Secure says Pokémon Go privacy concerns hyped and over-blown

As millions across the globe are going gaga over augmented reality app Pokémon Go, there are several reports doing the round regarding its security concern. However, Security experts from F-Secure have said the whole helluva over privacy concerns are blown out of proportion.

Further to the entire controversy and security concerns that Pokémon Go is suggested to be compromising, F-Secure’s Security Advisor Sean Sullivan highlighted that the stories are mostly overblown. “The robbery stuff is hyped nonsense, allegedly happens once, and the press can’t resist telling the story,” he said.

The app has been collecting email address, IP address, the web page you were using before logging into Pokémon Go, username, and your location. Sean says while this may seem malicious, it’s “typical of most apps.”

There have also been reports about developer Nitantic getting full access to your entire Google account, which you have to use to create an account for the game.

Turns out that the maker was never able to read your Gmail and the permissiveness has more to do with Google’s settings than Nitantic’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.

It's possible to create a Google Account without Gmail. Just go here.

It’s true that hackers are leveraging the app’s popularity and Android’s laxer security standards, but that’s true of many, many popular Android apps.

Our advice, always stick to the official app stores and check reviews before downloading.

Given the success of the app, you’re likely to see several imitations. There will also be efforts to monetize this sensation in more ways than one. 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 has reported.

To summarize, while the success of Pokémon Go may be extraordinary, the privacy and security concerns are typical of any app in the market.

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