Does Pokémon Go Sell Your Location Data?
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According to the company’s privacy policy agreement, Niantic, the developer of Pokémon Go, does not directly sell any user’s location data to third parties, but it does collect and share aggregate information about the number of visits and player actions at sponsored locations with its game sponsors. The location data collected by Pokémon Go is used for various commercial purposes, including location-aware advertising, and is considered a “business asset” that can be shared with third parties under certain circumstances.
Understanding Pokémon Go’s Data Collection Practices
Niantic’s data collection practices have raised concerns among players and privacy advocates, who worry about the potential misuse of personal data. To address these concerns, it’s essential to examine the FAQs below, which provide more information on Pokémon Go’s data collection and usage practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Pokémon Go do with your location data?: Pokémon Go records a player’s geospatial data, including where you’ve been, how long you’ve been there, and at what speed you’re traveling, which can be used for location-aware advertising and other commercial purposes.
- Does Pokémon Go take your location?: Pokémon GO reads your IP address and your device’s GPS signal to automatically place you in-game, so you’re limited to the mons, PokéStops, and Gyms in your immediate vicinity.
- Does Pokémon Go sell info?: Niantic collects information to operate the game and optimize its products and services but does not sell any adult’s or child’s user information to third parties.
- Is Pokémon Go data safe?: While Pokémon Go has in-app purchases that can collect more sensitive data from players, the company’s privacy policy agreement states that user data is a “business asset” that can be shared with third parties.
- What are the privacy risks of Pokémon Go?: Pokémon GO collects a range of personal and sensitive information, including geolocation data, contact information, and content users share or upload.
- Does Pokémon Go invade privacy?: While Pokémon Go may not be digging through emails, it is capable of tracking your location, which has raised concerns among players and privacy advocates.
- Does Pokémon Go track your phone?: When you play Pokémon Go, your device’s GPS is used to track your location within the game, and the exact extent of this tracking can vary depending on your device’s settings and the permissions you have granted the app.
- What is the Niantic Inc controversy?: The controversy surrounding Niantic Inc. involves allegations of workplace issues and discrimination, which have led to lawsuits and investigations.
- Is it illegal to sell Pokémon Go Pokémon?: Selling in-game items or currency is illegal because it involves selling copyrighted data to make money, but selling the game itself is not illegal.
- What information does Pokémon Go collect?: Pokémon Go collects content you provide, such as images, text, and video, to provide social features within the game and apps.
- Does Pokémon Go punish GPS spoofing?: Yes, Pokémon Go can detect GPS spoofing and may result in a soft ban for 3 hours if tracked or caught spoofing location.
- Can Pokémon Go catch you spoofing?: Pokémon Go is able to detect spoofing apps and has a “blacklisted app” warning until you uninstall your spoofing app.
- Does uninstalling Pokémon Go delete data?: Uninstalling Pokémon Go does not delete your game progress, as all game progress is stored online.
- Is it safe to delete Pokémon Go data?: Yes, it is safe to clear data or remove the app, as all data is stored in the cloud, and you can log back into the game and have your current game status intact.
- Can someone track you from a game?: While other players may be able to track you based on your IP address, they cannot track you to a specific location, only to a general city or area.