Saudi government buys Pokemon Go

[Hydra009]

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I want to say it's probably fine and no one should worry, but...that game's backbone is player location data.

If I'm generous, I'd say that the game wanted people to get off their duffs and do actual exploration and exercise - visit the park, visit downtown and see the local...*interrupted by a drunk guy fighting a mailbox*...wildlife.  Exercise is a noble goal, but I can't help but think of this as one giant data-harvesting operation.  Most people don't know this, but Pokemon Go is essentially a reskinned version of Ingress - another game by Niantic where players interact with digital objects near them on a digital map overlaid onto actual real life places.

I can't help but wonder why the Saudi government is interested in people's location data.

They've also invested into the e-sports scene.  I'm not sure if there's a purpose behind this or if they have the sort of money that they can just throw stuff at the wall and see what makes a profit and what doesn't and go from there.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Insh'Allah!