The
widely popular augmented-reality smartphone game, Pokemon Go, has gone
viral -- exceeding both Snapchat and Twitter in terms of daily active
users, but the game raises serious privacy and security concerns.
Pokemon Go requires users to login using Google credentials, which means
that once the user grants "full access" permission, the company behind
PokeMon Go now has access to players' Gmail-based email, Google Drive
based files, photos and videos stored in Google Photos, and any other
content within their Google accounts. May users are also downloading
malware infected apps from third party sites.
Adam Levin, Chairman and Founder of IDT911 and author of "Swiped" says "people
love their games and get distracted. Because the game requires a
Google login and prompts the user to grant full access permissions, this
could be a privacy nightmare. The makers of the game could actually be
spying on your email, photos and videos and location. The security
concern is that many users are downloading the app from third parties
and could be infecting their devices with malware, exposing their
personal and financial data and leaving them open to identity theft and
phishing scams. Users should always check and be aware of what
permission they are granting when installing the app and should download
the app from a legitimate source."
ADAM LEVIN
Adam K. Levin is a consumer
advocate with more than 30 years of experience and is a nationally
recognized expert on security, privacy, identity theft, fraud, and
personal finance. A former Director of the New Jersey Division of
Consumer Affairs, Mr. Levin is Chairman and founder of IDT911 (IDentity
Theft 911) and co-founder of Credit.com. Adam Levin is the author of
Amazon Best Selling Book "Swiped", in book stores now.
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