Canadians unwilling to wait for access to the mobile gaming sensation Pokemon GO seem to be having no trouble figuring out ways to join the fun now. But, as the Better Business Bureau warns, malware and privacy concerns mean it’s not all fun and games.
Officially, the augmented-reality game has only been available in the United States, Australia and New Zealand since last week, but it quickly became an overnight smash hit generating headlines around the world.
Most Canadians have been forced to watch from the sidelines; the app is not yet officially available in Canada, but a significant number of people appear to have found workarounds.
Pokemon enthusiast, John Byskal, got a friend from the United States to help him get the game. “If you have a[n American] friend who can take your device and log in on their iTunes account, go to the app store, download it, then they can log out and you have it on your phone and you can use it,” said Byskal.
Those who don’t have American friends to help them access Pokemon GO are rushing to third-party apps that allow them to get in on the game. This, says the BBB, could be opening them up to potential malware.
"We are always concerned about privacy, identity theft and other malware issues when it comes to using third-party apps to download content or games," says Mary O'Sullivan-Andersen, president and CEO of BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay. "So when a phenomenon like this hits the smart-phones, we really encourage folks to be patient, leave the security setting on their phones in place and wait for the official Android and iPhone App Stores to make the product available."
The game sends players into the real world to search for the mythical digital pocket monsters known as Pokemon, who appear onscreen when users hold up their iPhones or Android devices in various locations at various times of the day.
Like the Pokemon franchise that hit in the late 1990s, the goal is to find and capture the cartoon creatures, which pop up on phone screens from various locations. They can then be upgraded and pitted against each other.
“It’s a treasure hunt,” said Byskal. “I’ve always like video games but now it’s like I can explore my city while doing a fun treasure hunt that relates to a video game that I already like.”
The game, says Byskal, is addicting. “I’ve only had it for three hours and I already took my entire lunch break walking around hunting Pokemon. And honestly, I was giggling and laughing alone. I was completely alone, giggling and laughing and screenshotting the Pokemon I caught. It’s ridiculous and I turn 30 in two-weeks.”
Toronto's Gregory Brown admits to being so enamoured with Pokemon GO that he played while cycling to work. Luckily, he managed to avoid any scrapes.
Even walking while playing can lead to inadvertent collisions and falls, he admits.
"It's addictive and you're so interested in the game you kind of forget that you're in real life," he says. "I do understand that there's going to be risks."
Reports are already emerging of Pokemon Go-related injuries. One online poster said they slipped into a ditch while playing and ended up in hospital with a fractured foot.
The BBB is warning players to be aware of their surroundings, not only to avoid scrapes and bruises and perhaps broken bones, but to keep from ending up in dangerous situations. A Missouri police department recently reported robbers using a secluded "PokeStop" location to rob unsuspecting game players.
The addictive game, say BBB officials, can also be a drain on the wallet. While it’s possible to play completely cost-free by winning "PokeCoins" (the app's currency) through gameplay, players can also purchase the coins through an in-app purchase. The longer you play, the more spending money you need to store and "train" your gathered characters.
The app also requires constant GPS access, and it uses a lot of data. After playing for hours every day, consumers with limited data plans may find themselves with a hefty bill at the end of the month.
Players should also be aware of privacy concerns related to the game. In order to play, users must allow the app to access other applications, such as maps and camera.
Many users sign in with a Google account, say BBB officials, and that has caused some concerns about privacy. The Android version of the game only accesses limited data (such as the user's email address), but the iOS version for the iPhone can access all Google data. Niantic, the game's maker, says no personal information has been accessed, and it is issuing a bug fix to correct the problem. Users can create an account through the app itself rather than using an email address to access the game.
There has been no word on when the game will be officially released in Canada.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
