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Niantic Responds To Senate Inquiry Into Pokemon Go Privacy (techcrunch.com)
An anonymous reader writes from a report via TechCrunch: Senator Al Franken has questioned Niantic, the makers of Pokemon Go, about how it handles user's information. He asked the company to explain several key details about how Pokemon Go works, including whether all the data collection was necessary, how data will be shared and how parental consent is obtained for kids who play the game. The game was under the spotlight soon after it launched when it was revealed that users had to provide the game full access and control over their Google accounts. Niantic general counsel Courtney Greene Power responded to Franken via a letter (PDF): "Country is collected and stored, to provide a user the appropriate experience; language may be stored in future updates, for the same purpose. The app collects certain information to facilitate important quality and stability objectives and to prevent abuse. This includes information such as mobile operating system, mobile device identifier, and hardware build information. This information is used to debug phone-specific game problems and to detect and deter cheating in the game. She went on to explain that players under 13 are redirected to the company's website when they register to play, where their parent must also register. Parents are then asked to verify their identity through third-party vendor, Veratad. "Niantic does not and has no plans to sell Pokemon Go user data -- aggregated, de-identified or otherwise -- to any third party," Power wrote. The company also adds that data is shared with mobile app analytics companies and with marketing and analysis companies, but these companies agreed to keep user data secure. The data shared with third parties does not include the data of users under 13, the company said, and no user data will be shared with investors. In response to the response, Sen. Franken said in a statement: "The launch of Pokemon Go earlier this summer represented a new era in gaming, but shortly after the app's release, there were strong concerns about how it treats its users' digital data. I appreciate Niantic's response, but I intend to work further with the company in the future to ensure that we're doing everything possible to protect the privacy of Americans -- particularly American children -- who play Pokemon Go."
It's all about getting your face on the nightly news. That's why they "Never let a crisis go to waste" and ALWAYS try to associate themselves some way to something that's popular.
This is just a shameless "Hey, look at me!" ploy by a politician looking for attention during an election season. Go away Al, you are not up this time...
"File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
This coming from a senator who used to wear a satellite dish on his head. I'd like to know if he was collecting data from aliens with that thing.
>"Niantic does not and has no plans to sell Pokemon Go user data -- aggregated, de-identified or otherwise -- to any third party," Power wrote. The company also adds that data is shared with mobile app analytics companies and with marketing and analysis companies
We're not selling your personal info, we're selling ad space on your phone to marketers who have chosen to advertise to you based on your personal info which we gave them for free.
Totally different.
"Niantic does not ... sell Pokemon Go user data...to any third party,"....
...data is shared with mobile app analytics companies[,] marketing [companies,] and analysis companies....
Data is shared, not sold.
full access and control over their Google accounts.
FYI: That only applies to the iPhone version of the app. I run the android app, and it never asked for any such permission. I don't even login to the game with my Google account. If I go to the "Apps connected to your Google account" it currently displays "You haven't granted any apps or websites access to your Google Account."
Does the OS X version require a Google account? Can't you login with a Pokemon Trainer account like you can on Android?
Any 21 year old with no self control is just a poorly raised child.
But seriously,
So, they do in fact provide user data to third parties. It's laughable to think they don't "sell" (i.e. derive financial benefit) it to them and simply provide it free.
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
Interesting that the headline says Franken "questioned" Niantic (which sounds like the name of a drug for erectile dysfunction, by the way). In fact, what he did was send them a letter, with these (quite reasonable) questions. In fact, these are issues that are brought up daily by users here on Slashdot:
Considering the happy horseshit the US Congress has been doing for the past 6 years, I'm not sure this isn't a case of an elected official actually doing his job. Maybe that's why it seems so unusual.
Oh, and here's the full text of Franken's letter:
http://www.franken.senate.gov/...
You are welcome on my lawn.
All they have to do is make the Capitol the only place you can catch a Mew, and they would bring the country to its knees.
Only crack the nuts that crack. You don't put the ones that don't crack in the sack.
Or they are using 3rd party service providers to analyse their data in ways that they are neither capable or experienced in for internal use. In exactly the same way that you provide you banks statements and receipts to your accountant.
Surprised I didn't her about that from the neighbors.
Maybe they aren't dickheads.
I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
"Niantic does not and has no plans to sell Pokemon Go user data -- aggregated, de-identified or otherwise -- to any third party
And then in small-print. These terms are subject to change as soon as we get a good enough offer.
"That's the way to do it" - Punch