China bans Pokemon Go amid security risk review

Shanghai: China would not allow its mammoth mobile online population to play Pokemon Go or other augmented-reality games until it completed a review of potential security risks, a Chinese digital publishing group said.

The roadblock was put up amid concerns that such games contain “rather big social risks”, including potential threats to consumer and traffic safety, and the security of “geographic information”, the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association said this week.

The industry group said that it was informed of the move by China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

It said SAPPRFT was conducting a security review of such games in the meantime.

“Before then, SAPPRFT will not accept requests to approve such games and has advised domestic game developers to be cautious when considering developing, introducing or operating such games,” the publishing association said.

Pokemon Go engages mobile users in a virtual chase for cartoon creatures appearing in their vicinity, as seen through their phone camera, but relies for many of its functions on Google Maps, which is blocked in China.